2012 PRESS RELEASES
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December 10, 2012
ISLE OF WIGHT COUNTY EXTENSION AGENT RECOGNIZED
Contact: Elaine J. Lidholm, 804.786.7686
Recently the Virginia Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services (VDACS) recognized Janet Spencer, Extension Agent, Isle of Wight County, for her outstanding participation in the 2011 Pesticide Container Recycling Program sponsored by VDACS. The award cites her record at increasing the number of recycled containers dramatically.
2011 saw the number of plastic pesticide containers offered for recycling continue to increase. Many factors contribute to the continued growth and successful operation of this program. One very important factor in sustaining this program is the administration of the recycling program at the county level.
Developing a written plan for implementation, establishing and maintaining a secure and covered recycling site, ensuring proper inspection of all plastic pesticide containers to assure cleanliness and providing sufficient personnel to assist the recycling contractor in the processing of the containers are all critical elements to administering a successful program.
Soon after starting with Extension, Spencer quickly revived an expired program and over the last few years has been successful in establishing a viable recycling program. She ensured that the necessary paperwork is completed on time, that containers received are properly rinsed and cleaned and provided sufficient personnel on site to assist.
Since its inception, the recycling program has collected and granulated well over 1.1 million pounds of plastic. Because of this Spencer’s work and, those like her, the program not only continues to grow but the quality of the plastic received continues to improve.
This was the 14th year for the recognition program. In addition to the Pesticide Container Recycling Program, VDACS recognized participants in Pesticide Disposal Program and in Pesticide Safety Education Programs.
Photo: Janet Spencer, Isle of Wight County, is shown with Matthew J. Lohr, Commissioner of the Virginia Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services, and Sandra J. Adams, Deputy Commissioner of VDACS. They presented her with the award for Outstanding Participation in the 2011 Pesticide Container Recycling Program. (A high res copy of the photo is available upon request to elaine.lidholm@vdacs.virginia.gov.)
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