Illinois Leads Smart Agrichemical Recycling Efforts

By Andi Anderson

The Illinois Department of Agriculture has announced its 2026 Agrichemical Container Recycling Program, encouraging farmers and agricultural facilities to safely dispose of used pesticide containers. This program helps promote environmental safety and supports sustainable farming practices across the state.

Farmers can participate through single day collection events scheduled from mid July through August at various locations. In addition, three permanent recycling sites operate throughout the year, offering more flexibility. These sites are located in Griggsville, Lawrenceville, and Carmi. Participants are advised to call ahead to confirm availability before visiting.

The recycling program focuses on collecting # 2 HDPE plastic containers, including small bottles, five gallon containers, drums, and mini bulk units. However, only clean and dry agrichemical containers are accepted. Items such as metal containers and household pesticide packaging are not allowed. Farmers must ensure that all caps, labels, booklets, and seals are removed before submission.

Proper cleaning of containers is an essential step before recycling. The recommended method is rinsing immediately after use to avoid residue buildup. Farmers can choose between triple rinsing and pressure rinsing techniques. Triple rinsing involves filling the container with water, shaking it thoroughly, and repeating the process three times. Pressure rinsing uses a special nozzle to clean the inside of the container with water under pressure.

Additional preparation steps are required for larger containers. Drums must be cut open, and mini bulk containers should be broken into sections as instructed. Farmers with large numbers of containers are encouraged to inform the department in advance for better management.

The program has successfully collected over 1.6 million pounds of plastic in more than 20 years. Recycled materials are used to produce useful items such as shipping pallets, fence posts, drainage pipes, and plastic lumber.

This initiative is supported by several agricultural organizations working together to ensure its success. By participating, farmers not only manage waste effectively but also contribute to environmental protection and resource conservation.

Photo Credit: gettyimages-zoran-zeremski