The NJ Dept. of Ag, Helena Chemical, and the Cumberland County Solid Waste Complex are offering a series dates for free plastic pesticide container recycling disposal. These are offered to agricultural, professional and commercial applicators holding a NJDEP Pesticide Applicators License. State, county and municipal government agencies may also participate. Spread the word and recruit participants for this free service – we are hoping to exceed last year’s collections.
The NJ Dept. of Ag will be on-site to inspect the containers and issue one Core Credit to license holders who follow the processing guidelines. To receive Credit, participants must bring their Pesticide License and prepare the containers. Core credits will not be issued to participants who do not prepare containers. Dates and locations are listed below.
| Friday Dates 2014 |
Locations | Times |
| August 1 September 5 October 3 |
Helena Chemical, 66 Route 206 (North of Route 30/206 intersection), Hammonton, NJ |
9AM – 1PM |
| August 9 September 12 October 10 |
Helena Chemical, 440 North Main St., Woodstown, NJ |
9AM – 1PM |
| August 15 September 19 October 17 November 21 |
Cumberland County Solid Waste Complex, 169 Jesse Bridge Rd. (Route 55 Exit 29), Deerfield Twp., NJ |
9AM – 12PM |
Do not drop off containers unless it is during these scheduled collections. Contact Roberta Lang at the NJ Dept. of Ag at (609) 292-2242 for details.
Plastic Pesticide Container Processing Steps & Size Limits
- Containers must have originally held an EPA registered pesticide;
- Containers must be either triple rinsed or pressure rinsed and drained and be free of residue (other than stains);
- The booklet must be removed (do not have to remove glued paper labels or the plastic sleeves);
- A foil seal must be removed;
- Only non-refillable containers will be accepted; drill a ¼” inch hole, or with a utility knife make a slit in the bottom of the containers so they will not hold liquids;
- Only containers embossed with HDPE or the recycling #2 will be accepted;
- Up to 55-gallons in capacity will be accepted. 5-gallon pails must be cut in half; 30-gallon containers into at least 4 pieces; and 55-gallon drums into at least 6 pieces. This can be accomplished using a sawzall, chainsaw, circular saw, or reciprocating saw. It is not necessary to cut containers less than 5-gallons.
Items Not Accepted and Returned to the Recipient
- Containers with dried formulation on the container, pour spout or the spout threads;
- Containers with liquid residue;
- Containers where the insides are caked with dried residue;
- Mini-bulk, saddle tanks and nurse tanks, which can be made of fiberglass;
- Containers with lids; or
- Containers that held any type of petroleum oil product or antifreeze.
Non-Waxy Cardboard Collection
Helena Chemical in Woodstown will also be accepting, at no charge, non-waxy cardboard since their products are sold to the end users in cardboard boxes. Cardboard will be accepted every Friday during the months of April through October 2014 from 1 PM to 3 PM, and during the scheduled collections. Clean non-waxy cardboard must be broken down and flattened.
Save money with Nursery Pot and other Rigid Plastic Recycling Policy
If you generate other clean non-petroleum containing plastic (crates, buckets, pails, nursery pots, cell packs or trays), the Cumberland County Solid Waste Complex ONLY will continue to accept them for free on days when we conduct pesticide container recycling. Please shake out the dirt and make sure the plant material is removed. You can commingle the nursery pots, cell packs and trays with your pesticide containers. If you come any other time with the waste horticultural materials, the Solid Waste Complex will charge you the full rate landfill tipping fee. Cumberland will also accept pails and 55-gallon drums not cut up. Thank you for your cooperation.
