Turning Pesticide Jugs into Profit: Michigan's Farm Plastic Fix

A Michigan farm recycling drive turns HDPE waste into value, offering a national model for cleaner, circular agriculture.

27 Jun 2025

In Scottville, Michigan, a small-town farm drive is rewriting the story of agricultural waste. For one day this summer, the Mason-Lake Conservation District teamed up with Acres Co-op and the Michigan Agriculture Environmental Assurance Program to collect mountains of old pesticide jugs. Instead of clogging landfills or burning in piles, the plastic was reborn as something useful: drainage pipes, pallets, and other farm essentials.

The system was simple. Farmers hauled in triple-rinsed HDPE containers, already clean and sorted. That care kept contamination low, which is exactly what makes recycling viable. "Producers understand the need for stewardship," said one coordinator. "But without clear, convenient pathways, good intentions can fall flat."

What's striking is how easy the model is to replicate. Plastic waste has long been a stubborn problem on farms, where single-use jugs are essential but recycling options rare. As states tighten rules on pesticide container disposal, this voluntary effort offers a glimpse of how progress can come without heavy-handed mandates.

Experts say the potential is huge. Co-ops could organize drop-offs, regional grants could cover logistics, and recyclers would gain a steady stream of high-quality material. The challenge is consistency: to turn waste into products, the pipeline must stay clean and reliable.

For farmers, the payoff is both financial and environmental. Avoiding landfill fees saves money, and meeting sustainability goals protects their land and reputation. Cleaner inputs lead to cleaner outputs, a cycle that benefits soil, water, and the bottom line.

What began as a one-day collection in a Michigan town now looks like a blueprint for agriculture's next chapter. If widely adopted, it could turn one of farming's dirtiest habits into a story of renewal. Waste, in other words, doesn't have to be wasted.