Irrigation controllers are made with recyclable materials, but when they’re replaced older controllers usually end up in the trash. Now Ewing and Hunter Industries are making it easy for people to recycle used irrigation controllers and help others!
Since 2017, Ewing customers have recycled thousands of irrigation controllers at Ewing stores—totaling more than 11,170 pounds of plastic, metal and other materials.
Not only does this reduce waste and heavy metals in our landfills—it provides jobs for people with autism or other disabilities at Blue Star Recyclers, a non-profit based in Colorado.
Now Hunter Industries is partnering with Ewing to help sponsor the costs to continue this one-of-a-kind irrigation controller recycling program.
Every irrigation controller collected at Ewing is sent to Blue Star Recyclers, where it’s disassembled or shredded, sorted by material types which are re-used as part of the manufacturing process for other products. 
Blue Star’s workers are chosen for their aptitude and attitude for careful, detailed, repetitive work of recycling electronics and other materials, many who come from the Cherry Creek School District’s Transition Program where young adults with special needs can learn Blue Star’s recycling process and other job skills.
In the past 10 years, Blue Star has recycled 14 million pounds of electronics , grown to 45 employees at three locations and saved taxpayers an estimated $1.5 million dollars. They also plan to open additional recycling locations in other parts of the country and create a refurbishment program to provide computers to low income families.
Both Ewing and Hunter are proud to be a part of this effort to reduce waste in the landscape and irrigation industry. And it’s a great way for Ewing customers and others to help make a difference when it’s time to replace an irrigation controller!
How to Recycle Irrigation Controllers
- Save used irrigation controllers when you replace them.
- Bring them in to your local Ewing.
- Ewing and Hunter will send them to Blue Star Recyclers for recycling!
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