Container Services Network (CSN) will coordinate the collection and recycling of used crop protection containers in Nebraska. CSN has been contracted by the non-profit Ag Container Recycling Council (ACRC) to recycle the plastic containers in Nebraska. CSN will pick up these containers and process them at a service center.

• The Pesticide Container Recycling Program is designed to recycle the plastic from rinsed (triple or pressure) pesticide (or crop oil) containers (1.0 or 2.5 gallons) or crop protection chemical drums (15, 30 or 55 gallons).
• Accepted containers and drums are rinsed, drained and clean inside and out.
• Accepted containers and drums must be free of pesticide residue, inside and out.
• Pesticide containers or drums are not to be crushed.
• Containers and drums are inspected immediately upon arrival at the collection site.
• Any container or drum with external pesticide residue that can be rubbed off by a protective-gloved hand is rejected.
• Rejected containers / drums remain the property of the driver of the vehicle.
• Rinse any rejected containers and return the clean containers to an collection site at a later date. Rinsate is used to dilute (as per the label) the next pesticide application.
• Stained containers, but clean and rinsed, are acceptable.
  

Plastic Pesticide Containers of 1.0 and 2.5 gallons:

• Remove label booklets, plastic shrink-wrap labels and caps from the containers and dispose of as solid waste. Plastic container caps cannot be recycled as part of this program. Rinse caps and dispose as solid waste.
• A single layer of glued-on paper labels may remain upon the container.
• Accepted containers are to be placed in 4-mil 275-gal plastic bags provided by CSN and stored away from exposure to the elements.
• Containers need not be punctured.
• Minimum collection of 1500 containers required. If less than 1500 containers are present, CSN will require consolidation with other collection sites to reach 1500 or the containers may be stored until the minimum is reached.
• Do not bale or crush stored, accepted containers.
• Crop oil/adjuvant containers are accepted.
• No homeowner plastic pesticide containers accepted.

Plastic Crop Protection Chemical Drums of 15, 30 and 55 gallons:

• Drums may be stored outside, and if stored outside, stack the drums on their sides to prevent rain from entering the bung hole.
• Do not cut open drums.
• Mini-bulk, saddle tanks or nurse tanks are not accepted.
• Crop oil and adjuvant drums are accepted.
• Drums will be collected by CSN at the end of the season. 

Pesticide Safety Educator (Clyde Ogg):

• Solicits initial interest in pesticide container recycling among Educators.
• Serves as information resource to Extension Educators and to potential managers of inspection/collection sites.
• Summarizes and consolidates site information from all individual collection sites, informs Educators and CSN of Nebraska’s sites.
• Coordinates activities with and provides guidance about program operation to Extension Educators.
• Promotes the program in statewide media and via the Internet.
• Liaison to ACRC representative, CSN for program coordination.

Extension Educator:

• Determines potential recycling sites for collection activities.
• Sets collection schedule in consultation with site manager.
• Returns Pesticide Container Recycling Site Information form(s) to Clyde Ogg, UNL
• Conducts local promotion of the program (1- or 2½-gallon plastic agricultural pesticide containers - no homeowner plastic pesticide containers smaller than 1.0 gallon. Plastic crop protection chemical drums 15-, 30-, or 55-gallon sizes.)
• Informs potential local participants (pesticide applicators, ag chem dealers) of the requirements (rinsed, dry containers with removed plastic shrink-wrapped labels, booklets, and caps) in an education/media program.
• Coordinates education/media program with local collection site people.
• Contacts CSN and arranges for collection of containers as needed.

Pesticide Applicator:

• Cleans, rinses & drains the containers, their caps and drums, rinsate goes into spray tank.
• Removes plastic shrink-wrap from containers, disposed of as solid waste.
• Removes booklets, and rinsed caps from containers, disposed of as solid waste.
• Glued-on paper labels may remain upon the container.
• Delivers clean, rinsed, drained containers / drums to collection site.

Collection Site Manager:

• Sets collection schedule in consultation with Extension Educator.
• Provides and arranges for the inspection of containers/drums upon delivery to their site. Assures each container/drum is inspected and rinsed before acceptance.
• Containers/drums are rejected if pesticide residue can be rubbed off with a pesticide-gloved hand; stained containers are acceptable.
• Rejected containers/drums remain the property of the party delivering the containers.
• Provides temporary shelter for accepted containers away from the exposure of the elements, preferably under a roof on concrete or in an enclosed semi trailer.
• If less than 1500 containers or 50 drums are present, CSN will require these containers and drums to be consolidated with those at another collection site or be held until a later time.
• Do not bale or crush accepted containers.
• Contacts CSN directly, if needed, to request pickup of containers from site if storage capacity is being approached.
• Assists CSN with loading of containers, if needed.
• Accepted, stored containers are not baled or crushed.

Container Services Network (CSN) [866-225-6629]:

CSN establishes contact with each site manager and provides 4-mil 275-gal plastic bags for container storage.
For sites with a minimum of 1500 containers or 50 drums, CSN will inspect containers and drums a second time at the collection site.
Takes possession of accepted containers/drums and moves them off site.
Arranges for recycling of the plastic into pesticide shipping pallets, drain tile, dimension lumber, fence posts, tire chocks, etc.