Keep Screven Beautiful
Chemical Jugs
Several times a year, a company called USAg Recycling stops in at the landfill to grind chemical jugs that farmers have dropped off there.
USAg Recycling is a recycling company that works in conjunction with many local state universities and agriculture agencies. This allows them to offer their services to us free of charge.
How the process works
Throughout the year, farmers bring loads of chemical jugs to the landfill to be recycled. They stack them in a container near the Scale House.
Chemical jugs waiting to be ground.
The first thing USAg Recycling does when they get to the landfill is separate the jugs that have not been properly prepared from the others. The jugs must be triple rinsed and hole-punched. They cannot grind any jugs that have dried chemicals along the rims and thread of the container. The containers also cannot have stains on the outside or remaining chemicals, even if dried on the inside. Click here to see how to properly prepare the jugs.
A stack of unacceptable jugs.
Properly prepared jugs.
Once they have a stack of good jugs, they start grinding.
The ground material that remains looks like this:
What happens to the ground up jug pieces?
Chemical jugs are made from high-density polyethylene (HDPE). Once ground, this recyclable material is reused to make new plastic pesticide jugs, pallets, fence posts, decking boards and other materials. For a more complete list, see http://www.acrecycle.org/end_products.html.
How you can help
You can help by properly preparing these containers. They must be emptied, triple rinsed, and hole punched. You also need to remove and dispose of the lids and labels.
The landfill will give you a copy of the weight ticket for the amount of jugs you bring in. This is proof that you disposed of the jugs in a proper manner.
For more information on preparing the containers, visit http://www.usagrecycling.com/containers.asp.
More information
If you would like more information on this process, please contact Screven County Extension Agent Ray Hicks (564-2064 office or 682-8670 cell), Keep Screven Beautiful (564-9171), the Screven County Landfill (863-7480) or contact USAg Recycling directly (info@USAgRecycling.com or 1-800-654-3145).
Contact Screven County Extension Agent Ray Hicks (564-2064 office or 682-8670 cell) if you have leftover chemicals or unlabeled chemicals that you need help with disposal.
Last updated: December 5, 2007
Mission Statement
The Keep Screven Beautiful Commission encourages and educates all citizens of Screven County to end litter, minimize solid waste and beautify our county. The Commission works toward improving litter and solid waste control ordinances and seeks effective enforcement of all pertinent ordinances.
Keep Screven Beautiful
412 Pine Street
Sylvania, GA 30467
Phone: 912.564.9171
Email: Lisa.Guidos@KeepScrevenBeautiful.com
