NJ pesticide container recycling program under way

New Jersey farmers and major pesticide users with used containers to shed have places and dates to drop them off. The state Department of Agriculture's 2016 plastic container recycling program is open to all pesticide users licensed by the New Jersey Department of Environmental Protection (DEP).

Collection sites, in Monmouth, Burlington, Atlantic, Salem and Cumberland Counties, will accept non-refillable, triple-washed, high-density polyethylene #2 (HDPE#2) containers common to agricultural, professional and commerical use, with a size limit of 55 gallons.

Ag officials say that the program succeeded in rounding up more than 39,000 pounds in 2015. "Participation in the plastic pesticide container recycling program keeps these plastics out of landfills and saves farmers and other applicators money," Agriculture Secretary Doug Fisher said in prepared comments.

The Agriculture Department web page lists four sites that accept nursery and greenhouse film throughout the year, as well as vendors who will accept mulch film, irrigation drip tape, plastic nursery pots, drip trays and flats for recycling.

This year's recycling deposit sites, and dates of operation, are:

Monmouth County: Rutgers Fruit and Ornamental Research Extension Center, 293 Route 539, Cream Ridge; Mondays through Fridays, 9 AM until 3 PM, now through November 2016.

Burlington County: Allied Recycling, 2658 Route 206, Mount Holly; Mondays through Saturdays during business hours.

Atlantic County: Helena Chemical, 66 Route 206, Hammonton; April 1, May 6, June 3, July 1, August 5, September 2, October 7; 9 AM until 12 Noon.

Salem County: Helena Chemical, 440 North Main Street, Woodstown; April 8, May 13, June 10, July 8, August 12, September 9, October 14; 9 AM until 12 Noon.

Cumberland County: Cumberland County Solid Waste Complex, 169 Jesse Bridge Road, Deerfield; May 20, June 17, July 15, August 19, September 16, October 21, November 18; 9 AM until 12 Noon. Be sure to tarp open trucks or trailers.