ACRC in the News

 

The ACRC recycling program is one of the most successful and innovative in the country, bringing both the public and private sectors together to promote environmental stewardship. In this section you will find background information and history on the ACRC program in our newsletters. Among other things, you'll also learn how a state collection site is set up and what happens to the collected plastic. Our press releases highlight recognition received by state collection programs, the ACRC, and individuals who have helped make this effort a success. We will also feature articles of interests to the container recycling community written by ACRC staff. Also see our photos featuring the ACRC program, staff, and cooperators in the field.
   

ACRC makes contractor change in the Midwest states

 

The Ag Container Recycling Council (ACRC) has awarded its 2008 contract to collect and recycle high density polyethylene (HDPE) containers in the Midwest states to Container Services Network LLC (CSN).  CSN is a company that is comprised of 14 independent container companies with 32 Service Centers in the United States. The primary business of CSN is to provide plastic, steel, and fiber containers, container accessories, dispensing systems, reconditioning services, container tracking, and container recycling to chemical manufacturers on a national basis.

 

Supported by ACRC Program improvements and lower service costs, CSN is in a position to increase the percentage of HDPE containers collected in the Midwest. “We are pleased to have this opportunity to work with CSN and to increase crop protection product container collection in the Midwest,” says ACRC Chairman Steve Hutton.

“Container Services Network will use loading and transportation procedures that should reduce manual labor and transportation costs,” says ACRC Executive Director Ron Perkins.

 

The ACRC Program is free to growers and applicators who deliver triple rinsed containers to any of the more than 400 collection sites that will serviced by CSN in the Midwest.  The industry funded stewardship program has resulted in the recycling of over 95 million pounds of HDPE plastic over the last 15 years.

 

To check for availability of service in your county, please contact Gary Glickman at 866 225-6629 or visit: (www.containerservicesnetwork.com).
 

EPA is Moving Forward with the Pesticide Container Recycling Rule

 

EPA is moving forward to propose regulations that once finalized, would
require registrants of agricultural and professional specialty
pesticides to recycle plastic pesticide containers.

 

After careful deliberation and consideration of all possible options,
the Agency is moving forward expeditiously with a proposed pesticide
container recycling rule. Given the extensive time necessary for the
rulemaking process, EPA is following an aggressive schedule that allows
publishing the proposed regulations by the fall of 2008. The Agency will
provide the public a 60-day comment period on the proposed rule.

 

Pesticide container recycling will be one of the featured topics at
TPSA's upcoming Annual Conference, including three sessions on Tuesday, February 26th that will cover a range of container recycling issues. The TPSA conference will include an update on EPA's recycling rule; presentations on pesticide container recycling programs in North
Carolina, the Eastern United States, and internationally; and technical
information and interactive discussions about maximizing pesticide
container collection logistics as well as granulating and baling
pesticide containers.

 

Remember to register for the conference by February 5, 2008: http://tpsalliance.org
 

"ACRC Takes Earth Friendly Approach" --
Harris Publishing, The Potato Grower, August 2007

 

It may be time to reconsider what counts as waste because as approximately 89 million pounds of recycled plastic attests, those landfillbound containers may just have more life in them yet.


The Ag Container Recycling Council (ACRC) is a national non-profit organization running a recycling program for high-density polyethelene containers such as those used for crop protectants. The group helps turn plastic from containers into speed bumps, scaffold nailing strips, railroad ties and more.


Along with containers used to hold EPA registered crop protectants, ACRC can accept other approved containers for use in the program as it currently works with 28 companies and 9 affiliates in an effort that since 1992 has produced the recycling of about 90 million pounds of plastic.


Containers fit for recycling are those that are high-density polyethelene, rigid and can hold 55 gallons or less. They also must go through a pressure rinse or triple rinse before being accepted at pick-up locations.

Steve George, President of Northwest Ag Plastics, Inc., and an ACRC contractor, has been involved in the program since it began.


He says that if containers are not recycled, the only other viable option is taking them to landfills. Either way, containers must be thoroughly rinsed. The difference is that instead of taking containers to landfills, individuals take their containers to designated ACRC pick-up locations. At these locations grinding of the containers takes place to make transport more efficient.


Overseeing that this grinding and transporting takes place is George’s main responsibility as a contractor, but in conjunction with other organizations, also handles some program promotion. He encourages involvement from those not currently part of the program as they may feel it is the right thing to do and because it makes economic sense.

Since the program’s beginning, George has seen what he calls a “tremendous increase” in participation. “We’ve had a very positive response,” he said.


An example of program response comes from Pasco, Wash., where grower and program participant Richard Underwood takes part in ACRC’s effort. Working with Northwest Ag Plastics, Underwood—who also has a chemical dealership called H & R Ag—has become familiar with providing plastic for recycling. He has containers stored in a 40-ft. van. That way they will be enclosed instead of getting wet or dirty outside before the recycling gets underway.


Label removal and a triple-wash process are also part of getting the containers ready.


Underwood, who says containers are picked up for recycling about three to four times a year, has taken care to meet the regulations established for recycling and wants to set a positive example by participating in the program.


“The results are worth the effort,” he said. “We have that tool available to us and we use it.”


Underwood even takes another environmentally-sound step by recycling cardboard boxes used to haul the plastic containers.

According to Underwood, growers would do well to work with chemical distributors and recyclers to create teamwork when it comes to container recycling.


Another recycler who works with Northwest Ag Plastics is Guy “Jock” Warren of Royal Flying Service, Inc., in Royal, Wash. As a pilot who works with agricultural spraying, Warren deals with quite a few plastic containers.


For him, the program payoff is the disposal of the containers. He bought a 20-ft. van to house containers fit for the program and sees recycling as a better alternative to landfill depositing. According to him, it is a matter of stewardship.


Warren would suggest that individuals find out from recyclers the requirements for acceptable containers. For example, recyclers do not want the caps and containers should be dry.


Northwest Ag Plastics, which covers Washington, Idaho and Oregon, is one of five recycling contractors working with ACRC. In all, contractors and pilot programs are in place in 38 states.


Information for those interested in ACRC’s program is online at www.acrecycle.org. In addition to providing contact information for contractors and access to instructional videos on how to rinse containers, the site has specifications for containers accepted for recycling.


Editor’s Note:
ACRC is headquartered in
Washington, D.C. Executive Director Ron Perkins
can be contacted at 202-861-3144.
16 Potato Grower | August 2007
 
Pennsylvania Plastic Pesticide Container Recycling Program Reaches Million Pound Milestone


HARRISBURG – The Department of Agriculture’s plastic pesticide container recycling program has reached a milestone, recycling 1 million pounds of plastic, Agriculture Secretary Dennis Wolff said today.


            “This milestone represents a significant achievement in our efforts to help preserve Pennsylvania’s environment and improve pesticide stewardship in the agricultural community,” Wolff said.  “The recycling program offers pesticide applicators and businesses a free, easy and responsible way of disposal; currently averaging more than 130,000 pounds of recycled material annually.”
Launched in 1994, the program collects plastic pesticide containers from all categories of licensed pesticide applicators and custom application businesses. A total of 161 recycling partners in 55 counties statewide serve as pick-up stations for empty, triple-rinsed containers.
Among the uses for the recycled plastic are fence posts, pallets, speed bumps, marine pilings, and field drain tiles.
In 2004, the program was presented the stewardship award for program innovation by The Pesticide Stewardship Alliance, an organization of state and federal agencies, pesticide manufacturers, pesticide disposal and recycling contractors, container manufacturers and end-users, serving international stewardship needs in all phases of the pesticide life cycle.
Deputy Secretary Cheryl Cook and local officials celebrated the milestone at the Union Mill division of Chemgro Fertilizer Co. Inc. in Mifflin County.  Union Mill has been a participant in the plastic pesticide container recycling program since it became available in Mifflin County in 1995 and averages 2,000 pounds recycled per year.
For more information on the recycling program or to find the nearest PPCR recycling location, visit www.agriculture.state.pa.us, and click on “Producers.”
 
   
 

ACRC Announces new Contractor and Program Changes for California

 

(March 5, 2007) The Ag Container Recycling Council (ACRC) has awarded its contract to collect and recycle single trip, high-density polyethylene (HDPE) containers in California and Arizona to Interstate Ag Plastics. Interstate Ag is a subsidiary of Vince Crop Dusters, an established aerial application business that has served the California agricultural community for more than 60 years.


“We are pleased to have this opportunity to work with Interstate Ag Plastics and to increase pesticide container collections in California,” says Johnny Berry, chairman, ACRC. Supported by ACRC Program improvements and lower service costs, Interstate Ag is in a position to increase the percentage of HDPE containers collected in California. Interstate Ag will also expand service coverage in California to include more counties than in prior years.


“Interstate Ag will use mechanical container loading procedures that should reduce manual labor and operational costs,” says Ron Perkins, executive director, ACRC.

The new program also allows ACRC the opportunity to implement alternative
strategies to collect containers in any California county not served by Interstate Ag. The ACRC Program is free to farmers and applicators that accumulate a minimum of 6,000 lbs. of plastic prior to a service visit by Interstate Ag. Operations that accumulate less plastic can also benefit from the ACRC Program through a reduced service fee for similar onsite pickup.


To check for availability of service in your county, please contact Interstate Ag Plastics at 661-764-5244, or visit: www.interstateagplastics.com


The ACRC is a non-profit organization comprised of 25 Member Companies and 6 Affiliate Members whose purpose is to promote and support the collection and recycling of properly rinsed HDPE crop protection product containers.
   
 

HOUSE COMMITTEE COMMENDS AGRICULTURE CONTAINER RECYCLING COUNCIL May 8, 2006

 

CropLife America (CLA) reports:

 

We have learned that the House's Interior and Environment Appropriations Subcommittee, with support from CLA, has included report language in the appropriations bill that urges EPA to promulgate a rulemaking on pesticide container recycling.

 

The exact language reads as follows: "The Committee commends the Agriculture Container Recycling Council for its development of a voluntary program for recycling agricultural and professional specialty pesticides containers. This program has facilitated the proper disposal of millions of plastic pesticide containers at no cost to farmers.

 

The EPA has been developing regulations on this recycling and, to ensure the program remains a viable, free service that is available to agricultural producers, the Committee expects EPA to issue a final rulemaking on the recycling of high-density polyethylene pesticide containers within 60 days of enactment of this Act."

   
 

Ron Perkins Named Executive Director of Ag Container Recycling Council

 

WASHINGTON – Ron Perkins was today named to the newly created position of executive director of the Washington-based Ag Container Recycling Council (ACRC). The ACRC is a non-profit organization that collects and recycles plastic pesticide containers from US farmers and applicators, mostly free of charge. To date, the ACRC has recycled more than 100 million pesticide containers nationwide.

 

“Ron Perkins is a dedicated and nationally recognized pioneer in the solid waste management profession with an excellent track record in developing cost effective recycling models and enterprises,” said Johnny Berry, chairman of ACRC. “His main goal will be to develop new sustainable strategies for collecting and recycling plastic.” Jay Vroom, president and CEO of CropLife America (CLA) agrees: “CLA members have helped fund the ACRC for more than a decade-Ron is the right person to take this program to the next level.”

 

“The Ag Container Recycling Council has successfully collected and recycled plastic pesticide containers in more than 30 states for over a decade,” said Perkins. “I am honored to become executive director and to build upon ACRC’s exemplary achievements in environmental stewardship. “

 

Prior to joining ACRC, Perkins spent 14 years as the owner and operator of solid waste management firms, implementing innovative and cost-effective refuse and recyclables collection systems. He also spent almost 10 years as director of Recycling Operations at American Plastic Council (APC), where he directed nationwide field research for production of the widely acclaimed How to Collect and How to Sort Plastic for Recycling manuals, designed to improve recycling economics and sustainability. Perkins also focused on strategy and advanced research and development projects for APC. He ran field programs identifying economically sustainable recovered plastic packaging collection and processing systems.

 

In addition to his deep experience in the recycling of plastic containers, Perkins brings a strong business background to his position. Earlier in his career, he led marketing and management teams at Stearns, Conrad and Schmidt Consulting Engineers and the City of Portland, Oregon, where he advised clients on a wide range of solid waste management projects. He holds an M.B.A. from Dartmouth College and graduated with a B.S. from University of Maine.
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 

 

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