The Minnesota Department of Agriculture (MDA) will offer waste pesticide collection opportunities during August 2006 to pesticide users in select areas of Minnesota. Since the program began in 1990, MDA has collected and disposed of over 3 million pounds of waste pesticides which include herbicides, insecticides and fungicides. These events help farmers properly dispose of unwanted and unusable pesticides that accumulate in barns, sheds and garages. Continued storage of waste pesticides can pose a threat to people, animals and the environment if released.

MDA is specifically coordinating collections in areas currently not being offered year round drop-off opportunities by their county or regional solid waste programs. The Waste pesticide collection events will serve farmers and businesses in northwest Minnesota counties west of and including Lake of the Woods, Beltrami, Cass, Otter Tail, Pope and Douglas. Two events will also take place in Freeborn and Mower counties in southeast Minnesota.

Farmers, agricultural businesses, and other pesticide users including households can bring their waste pesticide to the most convenient site of their choice without pre-registering. Up to 300 lbs will be accepted free of charge. Larger deliveries should be pre-arranged by calling MDA. Governments will be charged for participation.

MDA asks farmers and others to secure their hazardous loads and travel safely to collection sites. Upon arrival, their cargo will be professionally unloaded and processed for shipment. All wastes are incinerated at special high temperature incinerators.

The waste pesticide collections have been made possible with help and cooperation of agricultural and growers organizations. MDA offers thanks to:

American Crystal Sugar Cooperative
MNDAK Sugar Cooperative
Minnesota Barley Council/Minnesota Barley Growers Association
Minnesota Canola Research and Promotion Council
Minnesota Corn Research and Promotion Council / Minnesota Corn Growers Association
Minnesota Crop Production Retailers
Minnesota Cultivated Wild Rice Council
Minnesota Dry Edible Bean Research and Promotion Council
Minnesota Farm Bureau
Minnesota Farmer’s Union
Minnesota Soybean Research and Promotion Council / Minnesota Soybean Grower’s Association
Minnesota Wheat Research and Promotion Council / Minnesota Wheat Grower’s Association
Northern Plains Potato Grower’s Association
Red River Valley Sugarbeet Grower’s Association

Questions related to waste pesticides, event schedule or participation requirements; contact Stan Kaminski at 651-201-6562 or Stan.kaminski@state.mn.us

You are also encouraged to visit the MDA’s Waste Pesticide Collection website for the dates and locations of the scheduled collection events at:

http://www.mda.state.mn.us/appd/wastepest/

Inquiries about the agricultural and grower groups may be directed to Greg Buzicky at 651-201-6639 or Greg.Buzicky@state.mn.us