DATE:    11/7/02
CONTACT: Tracy Outlaw (864) 646-2144    
EDITOR:  Tom Lollis (803) 284-3684
          
Recycling will help make
S.C. a healthier state
           
     CLEMSON -- When the nation celebrates America Recycles Day on Nov.
15, Clemson University will have reason to celebrate as well.
     It will mark the 10th year for a recycling program that has kept
hundreds of thousands of empty pesticide containers out of South
Carolina landfills.
     Clemson Extension and the University's Department of Pesticide
Regulation (DPR) co-sponsor the program, according to Neil Ogg,
director of Clemson's Regulatory and Public Service Programs.
     "More than 900,000 plastic containers have already been accepted
for recycling, with only one percent being rejected because of improper
rinsing," he said. The program, which is free to farmers and commercial
applicators, kicked off in November of 1993.
     Collection days have been held in most of the state's 46 counties,
organized by Extension agents around breaks between cropping seasons.
     "Farmers and commercial applicators should check with their local
Clemson Extension office or call the Columbia DPR office at
803-736-7680 for details on local recycling dates," said Ogg. USAg
Recycling, Inc., which operates the chippers, has scheduled Nov. 11-15
for grinding in South Carolina.
     Anyone interested in more details on container recycling or in
setting up a program in their county may also log on to the DPR Website
at DPR.Clemson.edu/SpecialPrograms. Private collections are an option
if at least 1,000 containers will be available for grinding.
     Leslie Godfrey, reduced risk specialist for DPR, coordinates the
department's statewide container recycling effort out of her office in
Columbia. She said that proper rinsing is the key to containers being
accepted for recycling.
     "Only empty, dry containers that have been triple or
pressure-rinsed will be accepted," she said, pointing out that the best
time to rinse a pesticide container is immediately after the contents
have been poured into a spray tank. Rinse water should go into the tank
as well. Containers larger than six gallons, barrels and drums, or
materials other than plastic are not accepted for recycling.
     Once rinsed, containers should be kept dry and clean. Dirt and
debris will interfere with proper operation of the chipper used to
shred the containers for recycling. The plastic chips are used to
manufacture products such as shipping pallets for the agricultural
chemical industry, lawn edging, parking barriers and new pesticide
containers.
     Certified inspectors conduct on-site monitoring to ensure
containers have been properly rinsed. Product booklets, plastic sleeves
and lids should be removed before inspection and recycling.
     Godfrey said that it is illegal to burn or bury any pesticide
containers in South Carolina, and some landfills no longer accept them.
     Several counties -- including Calhoun, Horry and Orangeburg
accept properly cleaned containers at their convenience centers. The
containers are stored until the chipper is in the area.
                              END