UNIVERSITY PARK, Pa. -- Do You Plan To Use A Pesticide At Your Home Or Business This Year? Do You Have Extra Pesticide Materials Or Containers You Want To Be Rid Of? If You Answered Yes, There Are Steps You Should Follow To Dispose Of Pesticide Materials While Keeping Yourself And Your Community Safe.

"All pesticide users have the responsibility to properly dispose of pesticide wastes, such as unused chemicals and pesticide containers," says Rick Johnson, urban specialist for the Penn State Pesticide Education Program. "Improperly discarded pesticide wastes can create serious hazards for humans, animals and the environment.

"There are two cardinal rules for avoiding incorrect pesticide disposal," he explains. "Number 1 is never to pour pesticides down the drain, on the ground or in a storm sewer. Number 2 is never to bury or burn pesticides or their containers, unless directed by the pesticide label."

Proper disposal begins with reading the label, which should give you specific disposal requirements for the product. Remember, though, that state and local disposal laws may be stricter than the label directions. You should check with your local solid waste authority or the Pennsylvania Department of Agriculture (PDA) before you dispose of pesticide wastes or recycle any containers. Three types of pesticide wastes require specific disposal methods: unused pesticides in their original container, pesticide mixtures that remain after application and empty pesticide containers. Here are some tips for each:

Unused pesticide in its original container: Contact the CHEMSWEEP Program, Pennsylvania's collection program for old, unusable and unwanted pesticide products. This program is provided at no cost by PDA. For information, call (717) 772-5231 or visit the program website at http://www.pested.psu.edu/pdaprog/. Some communities also hold hazardous waste collections. Contact your local solid waste authority to find out if pesticides are accepted.

Unused pesticide mixtures: First try to avoid excess mixtures by carefully measuring the amount of pesticide you require for application. If you have excess mixture, it should be applied to your property according to the product label's directions or given to a friend or neighbor for them to apply. Diluted pesticides never should be stored in a sprayer.

Empty pesticide containers: Properly clean and dispose of the container. The pesticide first must be completely removed from the original container by shaking empty bags clean and triple-rinsing empty bottles, drums and cans. Although the label may indicate that a pesticide container may be disposed of by wrapping it in newspaper and placing it in the trash, Johnson recommends using the CHEMSWEEP Program.

To obtain information and fact sheets on the safe use and disposal of pesticides, visit the Penn State Pesticide Education Web site at http://www.pested.psu.edu.

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EDITORS: Contact Rick Johnson at 814-865-8080 or by e-mail at rhj3@psu.edu.

Writer/Editor: Jeff Mulhollem Office 814-863-2719 FAX 814-863-9877