Cumberland County Improvement Authority

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE:
May 8, 2006

IMPROVEMENT AUTHORITY ANNOUNCES DATES
FOR PESTICIDE CONTAINER RECYCLING

Deerfield Township, NJ: The Cumberland County Improvement Authority, in partnership with the New Jersey Department of Agriculture, has announced seven collection dates in 2006 for the recycling of pesticide containers. Non-refillable, high density polyethylene #2 (HDPE) containers used by agricultural, professional, and commercial pesticide applicators will be accepted free of charge at the Cumberland County Solid Waste Complex. In addition, HDPE #2 plastic pails, bulb crates, and similar items will be accepted. Containers must be no larger than 55-gallons and must be properly rinsed.

“We are pleased to continue our partnership with the Department of Agriculture on this and many other programs which benefit the community, protect the environment, and preserve natural resources,” said Cumberland County Improvement Authority Executive Director Steven R. Wymbs. “In 2005, more than 4,000 pesticide containers were recycled at the Solid Waste Complex. We thank those that participated and look forward to an even bigger turnout in 2006.”

The Cumberland County Solid Waste Complex, located at 169 Jesse Bridge Road in Deerfield Township, will accept pesticide containers for recycling from 9:00AM to 12 Noon on the following dates:

May 19 September 22
June 23 October 13
July 28 November 17
August 25

“The program is open to anyone who holds a New Jersey Department of Environmental Protection pesticide license, including state, county, and municipal government agencies,” said Cumberland County Recycling Coordinator Dennis DeMatte, Jr. “The New Jersey Department of Environmental Protection will issue one core credit to pesticide license holders who bring in properly rinsed pesticide containers. To receive credit, participants must bring their pesticide license to the collection site and must follow the processing steps. Credits will not be issued for recycling items other than pesticide containers.”

Guidelines for the Pesticide Container Collection Program include the following:

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. The lids must be removed.
4. Plastic labels with a MSDS sheet must be removed.
5. Plastic labels with a MSDS booklet must be removed (it is not necessary to remove all of the paper labels that are glued to the container).
6. Only non-refillable pesticide containers will be accepted. Drill a 1/4" hole in the bottom of the container or make a 6” slit in the bottom of the container with a utility knife so that the container will not hold liquids.
7. Only pesticide containers embossed with HDPE and the recycling #2 symbol will be accepted.
8. Pesticide containers up to 55-gallons in capacity will be accepted.
9. Pesticide containers must have originally held an EPA registered pesticide.

Items that will not be accepted and will be returned include:

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.

For more information regarding Pesticide Container Recycling, please contact Karen Kritz, Department of Agriculture Program Manager, at 609-984-2506; or the Cumberland County Improvement Authority at (856)-825-3700.

For more information on other recycling programs in Cumberland County, visit our Web site at www.ccia-net.com.

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For more information about this press release, please contact Dennis DeMatte, Jr. at 856-825-3700.