Kentucky farmers purchase hundreds of containers containing pesticides each year. The proper rinsing and disposal of the pesticide containers is critical to:

1. Saving the pesticide user money by cleaning all pesticide from the container
2. Minimizing the risk of soil, surface water and groundwater contamination with pesticides
3. Aid in avoiding legal problems with improper disposal of containers

The “Rinse & Return” Pesticide Container Recycling Program is a voluntary program sponsored by the Ky Department of Agriculture and Agri-Business Association of Kentucky, in cooperation with the University of Ky/Cooperative Extension Service, the local Farm Bureau groups and local Conservation Districts.

In 2023, Ohio County 35 pesticide users and a local farm supply, recycled over 1600 five gallon or smaller containers. The container had been properly triple rinsed and return on the recycling dates.

Even though larger row crop producers are using large bulk container for most of their pesticides there is still a growing number smaller container which must be recycled each year, to prevent them from entering the landfill or disposed of improperly.

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