Discard old pesticides at free collection events

Hazardous waste contractors unload discarded pesticides during a previous Missouri Department of Natural Resources’ collection event at MFA Agri Services in Montgomery City. Four dates are scheduled from March through September this year for farmers and homeowners to clean out old chemicals and dispose of them properly.When you’re thinking about spring cleaning this year, don’t forget about those old, unwanted or leftover pes­ticide products sitting in your barn, shed, garage or home. The Missouri Department of Natural Resources’ Pesticide Collection Program is offering free events throughout the state to properly dispose of agricultural and household chemicals.

Simply throwing away pesticides or pouring them down the drain can be detrimental to the environment, septic systems and the water supply. At these collection events, approved hazard­ous waste contractors will take these products and send them to a permitted incineration facility. Accepted materials include herbicides, insecticides, fungicides, rodenticides, dewormers, fly tags and fertilizer-containing pesticides.

Since 2012, the Missouri Pesticide Collection Program has conducted 68 of these events and collected more than 890,000 pounds of waste chemicals from nearly 2,200 participants.

In 2023, four collection events are scheduled from March through September. All events run from 8 a.m. until noon.

March 25 Jamestown Agri Service, 317 W. Row St., Jamestown, MO

April 15 Orscheln Farm and Home, 710 South Main St., Brookfield, MO

May 13 Rocking W Farm and Home, 39216 State Highway 413, Crane, MO

Sept. 16 Mordt Tractor and Equipment Company, 131 State Highway H, Troy, MO

If you are dropping materials at a collection site, keep all pes­ticides in original containers and identify those not in original containers or with missing labels. Do not mix the pesticides with other materials, like used motor oil or antifreeze. Make sure lids are tightly sealed. If the container is leaking, place it in a larger container with a nonflammable absorbent, such as clay-based cat box litter. Secure waste pesticides upright in a cardboard box and transport in the back of a pickup truck, trailer or car trunk. Keep flammables out of direct sunlight and away from sources of heat.

A hazardous waste contractor will unload the pesticides from your vehicle at the collection event. Non-pesticide waste brought to the event will be rejected and sent back with the participant.

For more information, call 573-751-0616 or visit online at dnr.mo.gov/env/hwp/pesticide.