By Jennifer Dorsett
Field Editor

Currently, an organized statewide collection for disposal of agricultural pesticide waste in Texas does not exist.

But Texas A&M AgriLife Extension Service, in collaboration with the Texas Department of Agriculture (TDA), is hosting a collection event Thursday, June 13, in Coryell County.

There is no cost for any Central Texas farmer or rancher to dispose of any of the following items:

  • outdated, discontinued or unwanted agricultural pesticides, including insecticides, herbicides and fungicides, rodenticides, nematicides and growth regulators
  • empty, triple-rinsed plastic pesticide containers
  • empty or partial metal drums

Pesticides must be in the original container, even if the label is no longer present.

Unknown pesticides will be sampled and identified on-site.

The following items will not be accepted at this event:

  • explosive ordinances and ammunition
  • petroleum-based products
  • paints
  • medical wastes
  • radioactive substances
  • household pesticides and chemicals
  • tires
  • fertilizers
  • propane or butane cylinders
  • dioxins
  • 2,4-5T
  • chlorinated hydrocarbons (chlordane, aldrin, dieldrin, and heptachlor)
  • fumigant canisters
  • used motor oil and other automobile fluids
  • used motor oil filters
  • auto batteries
  • household hazardous waste, such as paints, thinners, antifreeze, aerosol cans, mercury thermometers, photographic chemicals, herbicides and cleaners, petroleum products, antifreeze and fluorescent bulbs
  • empty bulk containers

The disposal event will be located at the Coryell County Road and Bridge Department from 8 a.m. to noon.

The building is located at 3701 W U.S. Highway 84, Gatesville, Texas, 76528.

For more information, contact the Coryell County AgriLife Extension office at 254-865-2414.