By Jennifer Whitlock
Field Editor
Farmers, ranchers and property owners in Henderson County can drive up and drop off agricultural pesticides from 8 a.m. to noon on Oct. 28.
The free agricultural pesticide waste collection event, hosted by the Texas A&M AgriLife Extension Service and Texas Department of Agriculture (TDA), will be held in Athens at the Henderson County Regional Fair Park.
Pesticides must be in their original containers, even if the label is no longer present. Unknown pesticides will be tested on-site to determine the contents before safe disposal.
“If you have unwanted, surplus agricultural pesticides, this is an opportunity to safely and properly dispose of them,” Dr. Don Renchie, AgriLife Extension program leader and pesticide safety education program coordinator, said. “We’re glad to provide this service for our local community and surrounding regions.”
Accepted items include:
- outdated, discontinued or unwanted agricultural pesticides; herbicides; insecticides; fungicides; rodenticides; nematicides; and growth regulators
- empty, triple-rinsed plastic pesticide containers (under 55 gallons) and
- empty or partially-full metal drums.
Unacceptable items include:
- explosive ordnance and ammunition
- petroleum-based products
- Paint
- medical wastes
- radioactive substances
- tires
- fertilizers,
- methyl bromide cylinders
- propane or butane cylinders
- chlorinated hydrocarbons
- dioxins
- used motor oil or other vehicle fluids
- vehicle batteries
- fumigants
- household pesticides, chemicals or waste and
- empty chemical totes.
AgriLife and TDA have collaborated to provide this service to communities across Texas since 2018.
Pesticide dealers or commercial businesses are not allowed to participate.
More information on the ag pesticide waste collection event is available from the AgriLife Extension office in Henderson County at 903.675.6132, or call TDA’s Dallas regional office at 214.631.0265.