Pesticide Container Recycling Program

Sponsored by the Clemson University Cooperative Extension Service and Pesticide Regulation, the recycling program has been in operation for almost 15 years. Successful collection days have been held in the majority of South Carolina's counties, with Extension agents making an effort to schedule collection days between seasonal harvests. More than one million containers have been accepted for recycling.

The pesticide container recycling program is free to farmers and commercial applicators and pre-registration is not required. Leslie Godfrey of Columbia is the statewide container recycling coordinator.

For recycling dates in your area, contact your local Cooperative Extension Office.

Containers Acceptable for Recycling must

  • be empty, clean and dry
  • have been triple or pressure rinsed
  • be plastic containers up to 55 gallons
  • have caps removed

Containers Not Acceptable for Recycling 

  • pesticide containers that have not been emptied
  • barrels and drums
  • household pesticide containers
  • paper, metal, glass, or cardboard containers
  • unused or wasted pesticides

Please remember to rinse containers immediately for best results.

There are two ways to rinse pesticide containers: triple rinsing and pressure rinsing.

Always wear protective clothing while rinsing containers.