Pesticide Jug Rinse & Return

RINSE AND RETURN RECYCLING PROGRAM

The Rinse and Return Program is a voluntary, cooperative program sponsored by the Kentucky Department of Agriculture and the Agri-Business Association of Kentucky (ABAK). Other partners include the University of Kentucky Cooperative Extension Service, which helps coordinate the Program on a county level, Farm Bureau, the U.S. Department of Agriculture's Natural Resources Conservation Service and the local conservation districts, and the Ag Container Recycling Council. Due to the materials previously held by these pesticide containers they cannot be recycled with your ordinary household plastics. This program allows for the proper recycling of these pesticide containers. This reduces the amount of material entering the landfill or being disposed of by other means. Some of the end products include drainage pipe, highway sign posts, underground utility conduit, and wire/cable spool flanges. The Rinse and Return Program has collected 1,892,000 pounds of pesticide containers since its inception with more than 100 counties participating. It started out in 1991 with three participating counties and gathered 10,000 pounds of material in the first year. KDA field technicians believe the 2 million pound mark can be achieved this year. Please check out the Rinse and Return Recycling Program schedule for the collection date and time in your area.

Pressure Rinsing

• Remove cover from container. Empty the pesticide into the spray tank and let the container drain for 30 seconds.
• Continue holding the container upside down over the sprayer tank opening so rinsate will run into the sprayer tank.
• Insert the pressure-rinse nozzle by puncturing through the bottom of the pesticide container.
• Rinse for length of time recommended by the manufacturer (generally 30 seconds or more).

Triple Rinsing

• Remove cover from container. Empty the pesticide into the spray tank and let the container drain for 30 seconds.
• Fill the container 10% to 20% full of water or rinse solution.
• Secure the cover on the container.
• Swirl the container to rinse all inside surfaces.
• Remove cover from the container. Add the rinsate from the container to sprayer tank and let drain for 30 seconds or more.
• Repeat steps 2 through 5 two more times.
• Puncture container.