Pesticide Broadcast (Newsletter)

Stephen J. Toth, Jr., Pest Management Information Specialist
Wayne G. Buhler, Pesticide Education Specialist

Volume 15, Number 4, August 22, 2005

New National Standard to Guide Plastic Pesticide Container Recycling

A new national standard that specifies best management practices for recycling used, non-refillable, plastic pesticide containers is being developed.

"Millions of plastic pesticide containers are used and disposed of every year in the US," says Nancy Fitz, a chemical engineer at the US EPA Office of Pesticide Programs. "We believe that the time has come for a nationally recognized consensus standard that will encourage more container recycling." Fitz is co-chair of the committee tasked with developing this standard. Committee members include representatives from the Association of American Pesticide Control Officials, American Association of Pesticide Safety Educators, Chemical Producers and Distributors Association, National Pesticide Stewardship Alliance and pesticide manufacturer and distributor sectors.

The project will draw upon the experience of the ACRC, or Ag Container Recycling Council, which has been a successfully recycling pesticide container since 1992. "While ACRC will continue to collect containers, this standard will provide a concrete guide to those companies that may wish to implement their own recycling programs," says Johnny Berry, an ACRC member and the standards committee co-chair. "We also believe that any organization or company that claims to be recycling, or says it supports recycling, should have a clear standard available against which to evaluate that claim."

The committee expects to have the standard completed by early next year. The American Society of Agricultural and Biological Engineers (ASABE) which is accredited by the American National Standards Institute, is developing this standard in cooperation with Crop Life America and ACRC. Any persons interested in the subject and familiar with the technologies involved who wish to participate in developing this Standard are invited to contact Scott Cedarquist at ASAE Headquarters (269-428-6331; cedarq@asae.org), or Nancy Fitz at the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (703-305-7385; Fitz.Nancy@epamail.epa.gov).

The American Society of Agricultural and Biological Engineers (www.asabe.org) is recognized worldwide as a standards developing organization for food, agricultural, and biological systems, with more than 200 standards currently in publication. Standards are developed by consensus in accordance with procedures approved by the American National Standards Institute.

CropLife America (www.croplifeamerica.org) represents the developers, manufacturers, formulators and distributors of plant science solutions for agriculture and pest management in the United States. Its member companies produce, sell and distribute virtually all the crop protection and biotechnology products used by American farmers.

The Ag Container Recycling Council (www.acrecycle.org) is a non-profit organization that promotes collection and recycling of non-refillable plastic pesticide containers. Since its inception, more than 70 million pesticide containers have been collected from American farmers and applicators nationwide and recycled.

Source: Press Release from Ag Container Recycling Council, August 16, 2005

Recommendations for the use of chemicals are included in this publication as a covenience to the reader. The use of brand names and any mention or listing of commercial products or services in this publication does not imply endorsement by the North Carolina Cooperative Extension Service nor discrimination against similar products or services not mentioned. Individuals who use chemicals are responsible for ensuring that the intended use complies with current regulations and conforms to the product label. Be sure to obtain current information about usage and examine a current product label before applying any chemical. For assistance, contact an agent of the North Carolina Cooperative Extension Service in your county.

Employment and program opportunities are offered to all people regardless of race, color, national origin, sex, age or disability. North Carolina State University, North Carolina A&T State University, U.S. Department of Agriculture, and local governments cooperating.

Last modified on August 22, 2005 by Stephen J. Toth, Jr.