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DES MOINES – Iowa Secretary of Agriculture Bill Northey today highlighted a new recycling program mini-bulk tanks that are used by many pesticide dealers to store chemicals before they are used on the farm. Changes by EPA to the Pesticide Container and Containment Rule that goes into effect on Aug. 16, 2011 will render many plastic pesticide mini-bulk containers unusable.
The deadline to register for participation in the program is July 15, 2011.
“We hope this program will allow dealers to remove unwanted, damaged or non-compliant mini-bulks from their inventory,” Northey said. “Due to the strong support we have received for this program the recycling fee per tank is only $15 and we have done our best to make it easy for businesses to participate.”
The program is available to recycle stand-alone and/or caged pesticide mini-bulk tanks of 85 to 350 gallons capacity. Steel and fiberglass containers will not be accepted.
To participate owners of eligible mini-bulk container need to complete an inventory registration form and return the completed form to TRI-Rinse, the company operating the recycle program. Forms can be found at www.IowaAgriculture.gov.
When completing the form be sure to include the chemical name (common name or trade name), chemical manufacturer, and tank size for each tank.
The form and payment can then be mailed, emailed or faxed to TRI-Rinse. The directions on how to make the payment of $15 per tank can be found on the inventory registration form.
TRI-Rinse will then provide detailed instructions to dealers on how to prepare the tanks for recycling. Steps will include the removal of metal, cleaning tanks according to the manufacturer’s cleanout instructions, and removing caps, valves and vents.
Collections will begin in late summer or early fall. TRI-Rinse, Inc., will either shred tanks on-site or transport them back to St. Louis, Missouri, for shredding.
Questions about the recycling program can be directed to Mark Lohafer with the Iowa Department of Agriculture and Land Stewardship by calling 515-281-8506.
The program is the result of a joint effort between the Iowa Department of Agriculture and Land Stewardship, the Agribusiness Association of Iowa, the Iowa Institute for Cooperatives, and Iowa State University Extension Pest Management and the Environment Program. |
