Updated 8/30 6:42pm

Leon County is embarking on a new program that will turn what traditionally was thought of as non-recyclable to perfectly recyclable materials.

Officials say normally a pesticide business owner would rinse a 55-gallon drum out three times, poke holes in it, then just toss it in the dumpster.

But, now the containers can be recycled.

Richard Lobinske, Leon County Hazardous Wasted Manager, said, "Just like with any recycling, when we bring these material out and put them to different use, that's just that much more material we don't have to make out of virgin plastics; which takes crude oil to produce. So, every material that's pulled out of the waste stream and recycled is that much more new material that doesn't have to be produced."

The Leon County Solid Waste Management Division has teamed up with the Agricultural Container Recycling Council to provide a recycling service for commercial and agricultural chemical containers, which Lobinske says typically means farmers and pest control companies.

The container thread and lip have to be clean; handle and necks can be stained, but clean; the inside can be stained, but clean; and the inside has to be dry and clean.

Lobinske says containers are often five to up to 30 gallons large, and says recycling them keeps them out of the landfill.

Leon County resident Darcie Solano said, "You see the landfills like huge mountains of just garbage. So, of course that would decrease. So, that would help a lot."

This is a national recycling program and it is at no cost to the county.

The containers can be dropped off at the Leon County Hazardous Waste Center.

For other drop-off locations, call (850) 606-1803 or visit www.leoncountyfl.gov/HHW/

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LEON COUNTY PRESS RELEASE:

County Announces New Agricultural Container Recycling Program

The Leon County Solid Waste Management Division has teamed up with the Agricultural Container Recycling Council to provide a recycling service for commercial and agricultural chemical containers.

Containers must be plastic, dry, and properly triple-rinsed to be accepted. The service will be free to Leon County farmers and commercial applicators.

Drop-off locations are at the Leon County Hazardous Waste Center, at 7550 Apalachee Parkway and at any one of the County’s four Rural Waste Service Centers.

This program does not currently include household products.
For more information, call the Leon County Solid Waste Management Division at (850) 606-1803 or visit www.leoncountyfl.gov/HHW/ .