Success StoryRinse and Return Program



Rinse and Return Program

Author: Bryce Roberts

Planning Unit: Spencer County CES

Major Program: Chemical Management

Plan of Work: Sustainable Agriculture, Non-Traditional Agriculture, and Natural Resources

Outcome: Intermediate Outcome

           The Rinse and Return Program is coordinated with the Kentucky Department of Agriculture with local Cooperative Extension Service Offices throughout Kentucky.  It is a recycling program that allows for the reuse of plastic containers that previously held pesticides and these containers cannot be recycled with other ordinary household plastics.  According to the Kentucky Department of Agriculture, “this reduces the amount of material entering the landfill or being disposed of by other means. Some of the end products include drainage pipe, highway sign posts, underground utility conduit, and wire/cable spool flanges.”  Since the beginning of this program, close to 2 million pounds of plastic have been recycled.

               In Spencer County, the agriculture and natural resources agent coordinated with KDA to set up a time so that producers could bring triple-rinsed 2.5 gallon jugs to the Extension Office so that a KDA representative could pick them up.  During the 2023 pickup, 95 jugs were returned along with 4 barrels.  This is an increase of 5 jugs from the previous year.  This program continues to be a great collaboration with the KDA and Cooperative Extension to help reduce the amount of waste going into our landfills.






Stories by Bryce Roberts


Spencer Co. Pesticide CEU Update

about 21 days ago by Bryce Roberts

Each fall, the Spencer County Cooperative Extension Service hosts a meeting for commercial pe... Read More


Rinse and Return Program

about 2 months ago by Bryce Roberts

The Rinse and Return Program is coordinated with the Kentucky Department of Agriculture with l... Read More


Stories by Spencer County CES


Spencer Co. Pesticide CEU Update

about 21 days ago by Bryce Roberts

Each fall, the Spencer County Cooperative Extension Service hosts a meeting for commercial pe... Read More


Rinse and Return Program

about 2 months ago by Bryce Roberts

The Rinse and Return Program is coordinated with the Kentucky Department of Agriculture with l... Read More