Cumberland County Improvement Authority

New Jersey Continues Semi-Permanent Pesticide Container
Recycling Center in 2008
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The Cumberland County Improvement Authority, in partnership with the New Jersey Department of Agriculture, will continue to offer free recycling of empty plastic pesticide containers on specific collection dates in 2008. The collection program will be held at the Cumberland County Solid Waste Complex in the Township of Deerfield. This is a free program and will save pesticide license holders in excess of $61/ton in landfill tipping fees. Non-refillable, high-density polyethylene # 2 (HDPE #2) containers used by agricultural, professional and commercial pesticide applicators will be accepted at the collection sites. Containers must be no larger than 55 gallons and properly rinsed.

The program is open to anyone who holds a New Jersey Department of Environmental Protection pesticide license and to state, county and municipal government agencies. Participants must follow the processing guide or material will be rejected.
One core credit will be issued to pesticide license holders who participate in the program. To receive credit, participants must bring their pesticide license to the collection site and must follow the processing steps.

If growers have plastic pails, bulb crates, or other plastics that are HDPE #2, contact the NJDA to determine if they are suitable for the recycling program and can be brought to the collection site.
The vehicles used to transport the pesticide containers to be recycled are not required to be licensed by DEP so long as the material is transported directly to the Solid Waste Complex.

Many of the pesticide containers arrive at the farm in cardboard boxes. Growers who wish to recycle the cardboard should flatten the cardboard boxes and bring them to the Solid Waste Complex and deposit them in the cardboard collection container located at the convenient center.

If you have any questions or need more details on the plastic pesticide container-recycling program, contact Karen Kritz, Recycling Program Manager, NJ Department of Agriculture, at (609) 984-2506.

New Jersey Pesticide Container Collection Program Guide

Plastic Pesticide Container Processing Steps:

1. All pesticide containers must be either triple rinsed or pressure rinsed and drained.
2. All pesticide containers must be free of residue (other than stains).
3. Lids should be removed.
4. The MSDS booklet must be removed (it is not necessary to remove all of the paper labels glued to the container).
5. Only non-refillable pesticide containers will be accepted – drill a ¼-inch hole in the bottom of the container or with a utility knife make a 6-inch slit in the bottom of the container so the container will not hold liquids.
6. Only pesticide containers embossed with HDPE and the recycling #2 will be accepted.
7. Pesticide containers up to 55 gallons in capacity will be accepted but we are asking that if all possible they be cut in half, quarters, or eighths. This can be accomplished using a sawszall, chainsaw, circular saw, or jigsaw.
8. Pesticide containers must have originally held an EPA registered pesticide.

Items That Will Not Be Accepted and Will Be Returned to the Recipient:

1. Pesticide containers with dried formulation on the container, pour spout or the spout threads.
2. Pesticide containers with any liquid residue.
3. Pesticide containers where the insides are caked with dried residue.
4. Mini-bulk, saddle tanks and nurse tanks, which can be made of fiberglass.
5. Pesticide containers with lids or lids by themselves.
6 . Containers that held any type of petroleum oil product or anti freeze.

2008 Collection Schedule

LOCATION:

Cumberland County Solid Waste Complex
169 Jesse Bridge Road
(located off Route 55, Exit 29)
Deerfield, New Jersey

TIME: 9 a.m. to 12 Noon

DATES (Fridays Only):
May 16, June 20, July 18, August 15, September 19, October 17, and November 14