Getting Ready To Recycle

Last week, I talked about the upcoming rule changes that will have a major impact on intermediate bulk containers (commonly called mini-bulks) this August. In some cases, these rules will change the ways ag retailers can use and/or distribute mini-bulks to their customers and, more importantly, determine what kinds of mini-bulks are compliant with the new regulations.

For those mini-bulks found wanting when it comes to the new regulations, retailers will have two options: Upgrade them to be in compliance with the new rules or pull them out of service to avoid potential fines.

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If ag retailers go the latter route, there will be three options destinations for unwanted mini-bulks:

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  1. They could be stored in a warehouse and take up space.
  2. They could be landfilled once properly washed and inspected.
  3. They could be sent to a facility that specializes in recycling old mini-bulks.

Given these options, No. 3 is probably the best one. At the recent Mini-Bulk Summit conference hosted by the Mid America CropLife Association, one of the speakers was Bryan Gran, business development manager for Tri-Rinse, Inc. Based near St. Louis, MO, Tri-Rinse specializes in recycling old mini-bulks.

“It’s an industry problem,” said Gran, talking about worn out or outdated mini-bulks and the need for recycling. “We all need to work together on this to make it successful.”

For unwanted mini-bulks, TriRinse will take them if they are delivered to their facility or send a mobile shredding unit to an ag retail location (within a certain geographic area). These will then be shredded and transported back to TriRinse’s facility, where the pieces will be washed and prepared for recycling into non-food plastic items such as signs or parking space blocks.

Obviously, there are other companies out there that can provide mini-bulk recycling services for ag retailers. Gran suggested contacting the local state associations or mini-bulk manufacturers for more information. “Without state associations, the programs for mini-bulk recycling wouldn’t exist,” he said.

Now is the time to look into this option. After all, August will be here before you know it!

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