By Trisha Gedon
Oklahoma State University’s Pesticide Safety Education Program will partner with the Oklahoma Department of Agriculture, Food and Forestry to host three unwanted pesticide disposal days in the Oklahoma communities of Walters, Buffalo and Dewey.
What: Unwanted pesticides are unusable as originally intended for various reasons, pesticides that are leftover or no longer registered in Oklahoma, pesticides that no longer have labels or are no longer identifiable. Farmers, ranchers, commercial and non-commercial applicators, pesticide dealers and homeowners may bring up to 2,000 pounds of pesticides to the drop-off sites for proper disposal at no charge. A fee is required if bringing more than 2,000 pounds of pesticides. Pesticide dealers are asked to pre-register due to the potential of large quantities coming in from multiple dealers or locations.
When and where:
- Oct. 17, 8 a.m. to 1 p.m., Cotton County Fair and Expo Center, 924 W. Missouri Ave., Walters
- Oct. 18, 8 a.m. to 1 p.m., Harper County Fairgrounds, 1230 N. 190 Rd, Buffalo
- Oct. 19, 8 a.m. to 1 p.m., Washington County Fairgrounds, 1109 N. Delaware St., Dewey
WHY: Originating in 2006, 1.273 million pounds of pesticides have been properly disposed of during the Unwanted Pesticide Disposal Days, keeping the chemicals out of rivers, streams, landfills, storm drains and illegal roadside dumps.
Participants will need to safely transport their pesticides to one of the collection sites. Pick-up services are not available. Read these safe transportation tips before bringing chemicals to the drop-off site.
For more information, visit the OSU Pesticide Safety Education Program website or contact Charles Luper, OSU Extension associate, at 405-744-5808.
OSU Extension uses research-based information to help all Oklahomans solve local issues and concerns, promote leadership and manage resources wisely throughout the state’s 77 counties. Most information is available at little to no cost.