Each year growers have left over unidentified pesticides lying around the farm. Each year PDA offers a program for growers to safely discard. Here is the announcement growers need to be aware of for 2012.
Del Voight- Penn State Extension
Nov. 29, 2011
Harrisburg – Agricultural businesses and pesticide applicators in 20 counties will be able to dispose of unwanted pesticides safely and easily in 2012 through the Pennsylvania Department of Agriculture’s CHEMSWEEP program.
CHEMSWEEP is offered in different counties each year. In 2012 it will be offered in Armstrong, Bucks, Cambria, Centre, Chester, Clarion, Dauphin, Forest, Fulton, Indiana, Lancaster, Lebanon, Lycoming, Mifflin, Philadelphia, Susquehanna, Tioga, Venango, Wayne and Wyoming counties.
“CHEMSWEEP provides a safe, legal way to dispose of unwanted pesticides,” said Agriculture Secretary George Greig. “Since 1993, the program has helped our agriculture industry properly dispose of nearly 2 million pounds of unwanted or unusable pesticides, helping to safeguard our environment.”
Each year, many pesticide products are discontinued or phased out, leaving growers, commercial establishments and applicators with quantities of potentially dangerous and toxic materials that cannot be placed in landfills. The unwanted pesticides often become a safety hazard and an environmental concern through long-term storage in barns, garages or other areas.
Licensed pesticide applicators, pesticide dealers and commercial pesticide application businesses in the designated counties are eligible to participate by completing the CHEMSWEEP registration/inventory form that will be direct-mailed. Registration closes March 31.
An independent contractor hired by the Department of Agriculture will collect and package all waste pesticides primarily for incineration at facilities approved by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency. CHEMSWEEP will cover the disposal cost for the first 2,000 pounds per participant. Above that level, participants will be billed at the department’s contracted price.
The program is funded through annual registration fees paid by pesticide manufacturers and applicators. To obtain registration forms or to find additional information, visit www.pda.state.pa.us/CHEMSWEEP.
Media contact: Nicole L. C. Bucher, 717-787-5085
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