By Jennifer Dorsett
Field Editor

Texas A&M AgriLife Extension Service and the Texas Department of Agriculture (TDA) are hosting an event to help farmers and ranchers across the Lone Star State safely dispose of old and unusable agricultural pesticides.

The latest agricultural pesticide waste collection event is set for Oct. 21 in Lubbock at the Panhandle South Plains Fairgrounds.

“If you have unwanted surplus agricultural pesticides, this is an opportunity to safely and properly dispose of them,” Danny Nusser, AgriLife Extension regional program leader, said. “We’re glad to be able to offer this service to farmers and ranchers in our local community and surrounding regions.”

Those dropping off unwanted pesticides can drive up between 8 a.m. and 2 p.m. AgriLife officials are asking people to remain inside the vehicle while staff unload the items.

Pesticides should be in their original containers even if the label is no longer visible or not present. Unknown pesticides will be sampled and identified on-site before safe disposal.

Items accepted include:

  • unwanted, discontinued or out-of-date agricultural pesticides
  • insecticides
  • herbicides
  • fungicides
  • rodenticides
  • nematicides
  • plant growth regulators
  • empty, triple-rinsed plastic pesticide containers
  • empty or partial metal drums

Materials that will not be accepted include:

  • explosive ordnance and ammunition
  • petroleum-based products
  • paint
  • medical wastes
  • radioactive substances
  • tires
  • fertilizers, propane or butane cylinders
  • chlorinated hydrocarbons
  • fumigant canisters
  • used motor oil or other automobile fluids
  • car batteries
  • empty totes
  • methyl bromide cylinders
  • dioxins
  • household pesticides, chemicals or waste

Currently, an organized statewide collection for disposal of agricultural pesticide waste in the state does not exist, but AgriLife and TDA have been collaborating to offer drop-off events across the state since 2018.

The Panhandle South Plains Fairgrounds are located at 105 E. Broadway in Lubbock, about one block east of I-27.

For questions, contact the Lubbock AgriLife Extension office at 806.775.1740.