WSDA completes second busiest year for free pesticide disposal
OLYMPIA - From Lynden to Walla Walla and Spokane to Long Beach-and areas in-between-the Washington State Department of Agriculture (WSDA) has completed another successful year of providing free waste pesticide disposal. The Waste Pesticide Identification and Disposal Program is one of WSDA's best-known and far-reaching programs, designed to dispose of pesticides no longer needed by farmers, pesticide applicators, pest control firms, institutional users and others.
WSDA staff and contractors disposed of 167,000 pounds of pesticides this year from more than 350 customers, second only to the 171,000 pounds collected from 400 customers in 2002.
"This welcome service is the responsible solution for those needing to discard unwanted, outdated or banned agricultural and commercial-grade pesticides," said WSDA Director Dan Newhouse. "It protects public health, our local environment and helps farmers and other users avoid the expense of disposal or cleanup projects."
There are numerous reasons customers bring in their pesticides. Many older pesticides have been cancelled by the federal government. Some customers may no longer farm or may have purchased property with left-over pesticides they don't need. Some growers may have changed farming practices with new crops, switched part or all of their operations to organic farming or now have better or safer control products. Others may have been storing pesticides that are in bad condition or don't contain necessary labeling.
Whatever the reason, WSDA uses several approaches to collect unwanted pesticides, according to Joe Hoffman, program coordinator.
"Most of our customers are best served at regional collection events held in the heart of agricultural areas such as Yakima, Wenatchee, Pasco or Mount Vernon," Hoffman said. The last regional event this year was held near Orondo in October.
WSDA also does special waste events, where staff travels to a customer's site and assists with the packing and handling of pesticides on the spot. Visits to Northeast Washington farms were conducted in September to reach rural areas, perhaps with lower volumes of pesticides, but fulfilling a much-appreciated public service.
"These on-site visits were part of our pilot project to improve customer service in sparsely populated areas," Hoffman said. "Sometimes it's difficult to select one location or one particular day that is convenient for a majority of customers, so we're being flexible to respond to customers' needs. We are willing to go to customer locations
to provide direct service."
Planning is under way for resumption of regional collection events for spring 2010, including events in Yakima, Chelan and Grant counties where it is typical to collect 10,000 pounds or more of pesticides in one day."But don't wait for a collection event to be scheduled near you,"Hoffman advised. "If you have pesticides in need of disposal, contact WSDA."
Safe management and disposal of waste pesticides Some 2.3 million pounds of unwanted pesticides have been collected since the program began in 1988. Among the pesticides collected in recent years are herbicides such as 2,4-D, clopyralid and dinoseb; insecticides such as diazinon, chlorpyrifos and aldicarb; and fungicides such as
captan and sulfur.
Agricultural and commercial-grade pesticide products accepted for disposal include insecticides, herbicides, fungicides, rodenticides and most chemicals that kill, repel or prevent unwanted pests. In most cases, customers transport unwanted pesticides to the regional collection site where WSDA takes possession. A hazardous waste company works with WSDA at the collection site to segregate and package the pesticides for safe, legal transportation and disposal.
Customers receive supplies necessary to protect broken or leaky containers to ensure safe transportation to the collection site, as well as directions to the site, hours of operation and transportation documents. Customer names do not appear on any retained documents. Upon request, WSDA provides free assistance at a customer's property to help inventory unwanted pesticides and package leaky containers.Pesticides accepted under WSDA's programs are shipped to licensed hazardous waste facilities in Utah and Arkansas.
Empty pesticide containers, fertilizers, motor oil and household hazardous waste are not accepted for disposal by WSDA's program. Contact your local solid waste program for assistance with these other items. WSDA regulates the registration and sale of pesticides. The department also enforces state and federal laws to protect people, property and the environment against the improper use or disposal of pesticides. The waste pesticide program is funded through the state's Model Toxic
Control Account.
For more information, visit the WSDA Web site at agr.wa.gov and click on "Pesticides and Fertilizers," send an e-mail to wastepesticide@agr.wa.gov or call WSDA toll-free at (877) 301-4555.
News Release: Nov. 16, 2009
Contact: Mike Louisell (360) 902-1813
Joe Bates
Whatcom County
voice: (360) 676-6707 x52510
voice: (360) 220-6654
311 Grand Ave
Bellingahm, Wa 98225
jbates@co.whatcom.wa.us
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