AAI Partners with Ag Container Recycling Program

Agribiz Office | July 20, 2010

A statewide pilot program is being conducted through the combined efforts of the Agribusiness Association of Iowa (AAI) and Ag Container Recycling Council (ACRC) to return and recycle six thousand intermediate bulk containers (IBC) commonly known as mini-bulks or shuttles. These containers have reached the end of their useful life, occupy valuable storage space, and need to be disposed of properly.

This pilot program will be the basis for gathering data and information that will be used to determine ACRC’s role in mini-bulk recycling in 2011 and beyond,” according to Ron Perkins, Executive Director of the industry council. “The pilot gives retailers and end users an excellent option for disposal of IBCs that fail to meet the requirements of the 2006 EPA Container and Containment Rule that takes effect in August 2011.

The Agribusiness Association of Iowa, working with Root Communications, will be responsible for program promotion and publicity. The ACRC will oversee collection and recycling operations which will be performed in Iowa by Container Services Network LLC.

ACRC will use this program to develop training documents and videos that will illustrate methods and processes that are needed for successful cleaning, collection, transport and recycling of these larger capacity (56 to 330 gallon) containers. A brochure: “Safely Cleaning Refillable Pesticide Containers for Recycling” has already been developed through cooperation from representatives of ACRC, CropLife America Stewardship committee and EPA.

Conducting the Iowa pilot will also provide the experience needed for identifying and approving end uses for the various plastic types (other than HDPE) which are sometimes used to manufacture mini-bulks.

The recycling pilot program will run through the remainder of 2010.

For more information on the pilot program contact Ken Root at 515-306-9777 or ken.root@agribiz.org

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