05/31/05 State program gets rid of containers

Vic Mason would like to see as many plastic containers as possible. Mason heads up the state program that helps producers, applicators, dealers and others safely dispose of those containers at no cost. Mason has a chipper that will take containers, crush and grind them so they can be recycled into products like pallets or parking blocks. MASON "And the plastic that we recycled last year in a condensed facility would be basically a two story building and if its basically uncrushed its a ten story building what the plastic that we kept out of the landfill last year." Mason has two requirements. One the containers have to be clean, tripled rinsed. MASON "And two is if they have a lot of containers they give me somebody to help my driver and then help put the bags back on the trucks. That's the only thing that we ask." You can learn more about this free program at the Department of Ag's website, www.agri.state.id.us. MASON "A tentative schedule on our website right now which will show you where we're heading out so it will give you some time frames of when we be in the area. If they produce a lot of containers like an aerial applicator we'll go to an aerial applicator's facility during their busy season probably every other week." Voice of Idaho Agriculture Bill Scott