OKLAHOMA UNWANTED PESTICIDE DISPOSAL PROGRAM
Because it may be complicated and expensive for individuals to dispose of pesticide waste, the Oklahoma Department of Agriculture, Food and Forestry is funding a yearly program to collect and properly dispose of unwanted pesticides that farmers, commercial applicators, or dealers may have.
Back to TopWhat are unwanted pesticides?
When pesticides become unusable as originally intended for various reasons, they are considered unwanted pesticides. Unwanted pesticides can result from both good and bad management practices. Leftover pesticides that have a limited shelf life may undergo changes rendering them unusable. Pesticides also become unusable when they are no longer registered in the state of Oklahoma. Waste pesticides can also result from lost labels and pesticides are no longer identifiable.
Back to TopAny person, company, or organization that purchases or controls a pesticide is held legally responsible for proper use, handling, storage, and disposal. For more information, contact the Oklahoma Department of Agriculture, Food, and Forestry.
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It is illegal to bury, burn, or discard a pesticide or its container in a manner inconsistent with instructions found on the label.Because of the inherent hazards associated with most unusable pesticides, disposal at a permitted hazardous waste facility is the appropriate disposal practice. Licensed hazardous waste companies can properly dispose of unusable wastes. The Oklahoma Department of Agriculture, Food, and Forestry has contracted Clean Harbors a licensed hazardous waste company to collect and properly dispose of waste pesticides in Oklahoma.
The basic process for the Oklahoma Unwanted Pesticide Collection Program is as follows:
o Dealers are asked pre-register unusable pesticides with Clean Harbors through the Oklahoma State University Pesticide Safety Education Program. Due to the potential of large quantities coming from multiple dealers this allows Clean Harbors to plan the appropriate resources to handle the quantity of pesticides that comes into the collections.
o Participant or the participant's designee brings pesticide(s) to the collection site transported as product - not hazardous waste
o The pesticide is turned over to Clean Harbors, the licensed hazardous waste contractor, that assumes ownership of the waste
o Clean Harbors, the hazardous waste contractor, is responsible for packaging, transporting, and disposing the waste pesticide
Oklahoma commercial and non-commercial applicators and pesticide dealers may participate. All Oklahoma farmers and ranchers are also eligible to participate. There is no cost for the first 2,500 pounds of pesticides brought by a participant. Anything over 2,500 pounds will be charged to the participant at a $1/pound for all pesticides except mercury based pesticides, wherein participants will be charged $2.22/pound for disposal. Clean Harbors will accept payment in the form of check or credit card at the disposal site. No cash will be accepted!
• Liquid pesticide weighs about 10 pounds per gallon.
Back to TopThe program will collect and dispose of most unusable pesticides. Empty plastic pesticide containers, fertilizers, waste oil, paints, and any other non-pesticide material will not be accepted.
What should happen to pesticides with a missing label or unknown pesticides?
Pesticides with a missing label or unknown pesticides can be accepted into the disposal program. In most cases, the hazardous waste contractor can characterize the waste at the collection site. Large volumes of an unknown pesticide may require analysis before acceptance into the disposal collection. The participant should be reasonably sure that the unknown material is a pesticide, and provide any other information about the material.
When and where will there be a collection in my area?
6 collection dates have been scheduled for the year 2009. There are three collections scheduled for March 2009 and three for December 2009. The collection efforts at each location will be a one-day event starting at 8:00 am and going to 1:00 pm. There will be approximately three to four collections around the state every year. Please check the website for future dates and locations.
What should be
done with leaking containers holding unwanted pesticides?
Containers 5 gallon and smaller can be placed in a plastic bucket or Rubbermaid container to be transported. If you have containers larger than 5 gallons please contact Charles Luper OSU Pesticide Safety Education Program at (405) 744-5808 for transportation options before moving the containers
What are the steps to
participate in the collection program?
Dealers are asked to pre-register with Clean Harbors through OSU Pesticide Safety Education Program. Applicators, farmers, and ranchers do not require pre-registration. After registration, if required, bring unwanted pesticides safely to one of the collection sites. Visit the OSU Pesticide Safety Education Program for information and how to register at http://pested.okstate.edu/unwanted.htm.
Dealers are asked to pre-register Due to the potential of large quantities coming from multiple dealers and/or multiple locations. This allows Clean Harbors to plan the appropriate resources to handle the quantity of pesticides that comes into the collections.
Are the program
participants liable after the pesticide has been accepted by the disposal
program?
Under the terms of the program rules, the disposal contractor becomes the hazardous waste generator with cradle-to-grave liability for ownership of the waste. In addition, all pesticides accepted will be disposed of at an Environmental Protection Agency licensed facility to reduce possible future pollution liability. These procedures significantly reduce participant liability from future claims, but do not eliminate it completely.
No; the disposal program is a service program designed to remove unusable pesticides from storage and reduce the potential threat to public health and the environment and participants in this program will not be prosecuted for illegal management practices.
Contact Information
Jason Baker Charles Luper
Oklahoma Department of Agriculture Oklahoma State University
Consumer Protection Services Pesticide Safety Education Program
405.522.5993 405.744.5808
jason.baker@oda.state.ok.us charles.luper@okstate.edu
This program was made possible with support from the Oklahoma Agribusiness Retailers Association
