In 2023, the Michigan Pesticide Container Recycling Program collected approximately 174,480 pounds of empty, properly-cleaned containers from more than 60 participating businesses How You Can Participate in the Pesticide Container Recycling Program: The program accepts all pesticide containers up to 55-gallon (plastic) drums under the regular program. Three simple steps must be completed before recycling containers: 1. Remove any metal or other loose pieces on larger containers as well as any caps and loose labeling from any container. 2. Triple-rinse or pressure rinse empty containers immediately after use. The rinse water can be used in an appropriate diluted tank mix. 3. Store rinsed containers in a dry area away from wells and water supplies until a pick-up can be arranged or take them to a recycling location as soon as possible. The vendor prefers that clean containers are tied together in large bundles using rope or twine. Large plastic bags to hold jugs are no longer being distributed due to the significant waste stream the bags themselves generate. Participating business/collection sites can request a pickup of stored, clean containers by contacting: G. Phillips and Sons, at 248-961-3360, or by email at sbruinsma@gphillipsandsons.com; or 563-942-0391 and pickup@gpsagrecycle.com. It is best to contact G. Phillips & Sons in the spring so they can include you on their contact list. This facilitates planning by allowing them to anticipate working your business into their scheduled pick-up routes. For more information, visit: www.michigan.gov/pesticidecontainerrecycling.
