Illinois farmers soon will have a cheap and convenient opportunity to dispose of their empty agrichemical containers.

The Illinois Department of Agriculture has arranged to offer a free pesticide container recycling program this summer. Beginning in late July, sites throughout the state will collect the containers and grind them into small plastic chips that will be used to make shipping pallets, fence posts, drainage tubing, plastic lumber and hazardous waste drums.

"The response to this program has been outstanding," Acting Agriculture Director Tom Jennings said. "More than two million agrichemical containers destined for our landfills have been collected and recycled into useful products."

Metal and household pesticide containers are not eligible for the recycling program. Collection sites will accept only high-density polyethylene, #2 plastic, agrichemical containers that are clean and dry. Participants are responsible for rinsing them and removing all caps, labels, booklets and foil seals.

The program is a cooperative venture between the Illinois Department of Agriculture, Agriculture Container Recycling Council, GROWMARK, Inc., Illinois Fertilizer and Chemical Association, Container Services Network, Illinois Farm Bureau and University of Illinois Extension.

To obtain a free brochure about the program, call the Illinois Department of Agriculture toll free at 1-800-641-3934.

The collection sites and dates for the 2008 Pesticide Container Recycling Program are as follows: