The Department of Agriculture's Plastic Pesticide Container Recycling Program has reached a milestone, recycling 1 million pounds of plastic the agency announced this week.

"This milestone represents a significant achievement in our efforts to help preserve Pennsylvania's environment and improve pesticide stewardship in the agricultural community," Agriculture Secretary Dennis Wolff said. "The recycling program offers pesticide applicators and businesses a free, easy and responsible way of disposal; currently averaging more than 130,000 pounds of recycled material annually."

Launched in 1994, the program collects plastic pesticide containers from all categories of licensed pesticide applicators and custom application businesses. A total of 161 recycling partners in 55 counties statewide serve as pick-up stations for empty, triple-rinsed containers.

Among the uses for the recycled plastic are fence posts, pallets, speed bumps, marine pilings, and field drain tiles.

In 2004, the program was presented the stewardship award for program innovation by The Pesticide Stewardship Alliance, an organization of state and federal agencies, pesticide manufacturers, pesticide disposal and recycling contractors, container manufacturers and end-users, serving international stewardship needs in all phases of the pesticide life cycle.

Deputy Secretary Cheryl Cook and local officials celebrated the milestone at the Union Mill division of Chemgro Fertilizer Co. Inc. in Mifflin County. Union Mill has been a participant in the plastic pesticide container recycling program since it became available in Mifflin County in 1995 and averages 2,000 pounds recycled per year.

For more information visit the Plastic Pesticide Container Recycling Program webpage.

10/19/2007