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. It was advertised in the monthly newsletter and on Facebook.   During the 2024 pickup, 10 participants recycled 101 jugs along with 3 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 County Master Gardener Program

about 5 months ago by Bryce Roberts

With the continued growth in population in Spencer County, the number of horticulture questio... Read More


Healthfair and Readifest

about 11 months ago by Bryce Roberts

The 2023 Healthfair/Readifest was a collaborative program planned by the Spencer County Coopera... Read More


Stories by Spencer County CES


Let’s Cook Through the Calendar!

about 5 months ago by Elizabeth Maxedon

The new year began, and the Louisville Area FCS Agents were looking through the new Food and Nutriti... Read More


Savor the Flavor series: Cooking with Oils and Vinegar lessons on 2/13/24.

about 5 months ago by Elizabeth Maxedon

The problemResearch shows that people who cook meals at home are more likely to eat the recommended ... Read More