Washington among counties participating in next year’s ChemSweep pesticide collection
In an effort to keep unwanted or expired pesticides from being dumped in fields or forests, Pennsylvania Department of Agriculture is promoting a program that allows those who hold pesticide applicators’ licenses to safely dispose of the chemicals.
Those based in Washington, Allegheny and Beaver counties who are licensed to apply restricted-use pesticides are among those participating next year, with Greene, Fayette and Westmoreland scheduled for 2019.
Those who have private, public or commercial pesticide applicators’ licenses in Washington, Allegheny and Beaver counties were notified this month the deadline to register for the ChemSweep program is Feb. 28.
Lee Stivers, Penn State Extension Service educator who teaches classes on the safe use of restricted-use pesticides for both new users and those who need to retain certification, said, “Every five years, every county gets to be part of the ChemSweep program.”
The paper registration form doesn’t seem to be available online, but people who need a copy can contact the Pennsylvania Department of Agriculture regional office in Greensburg at 724-832-1073.
“Dealers or applicators sometimes end up with pesticides they can’t use anymore,” Stivers said. “They may have been stored for too many years, or the label may have changed. They could have gotten wet” and solidified to the point the product can no longer be sprayed.
Unwanted pesticides also become a safety hazard and an environmental concern through long-term storage in garages, barns or other areas.
Department of Agriculture arranges with the applicator to pick up the products
According to the department, more than 2.5 million pounds of unwanted or unusable pesticides have been properly destroyed through the program since its inception in 1993.
An independent contractor hired by the department collects and packages waste pesticides at each participating location. They are destined primarily for incineration at facilities approved by U.S. Environmental Protection Agency. ChemSweep covers the cost for the first 2,000 pounds per participant. The Department of Agriculture bills participants for amounts of more than a ton at a contracted price.