Unwanted pesticide stored on the farm can be a nuisance but more importantly, it can be an environmental hazard. Many times farmers want to get rid of an old pesticide in a safe manner, but they are not quite sure how to do it.

The best advice is to use it up according to the label directions. The concern here is will it still be effective? If you can find a telephone number on the label for the company and it still is a working number, call the company about how to best use it.

Many times the labels have been completely destroyed or the company can’t be contacted.

For several years, the Ohio Department of Agriculture has provided a service to farmers to get rid of these products. Each year a different part of the state is targeted. The program is called Clean Sweep.

The Ohio Department of Agriculture collected pesticides for disposal from farms only – no household or non-farm pesticides will be accepted. No pesticide is accepted from commercial companies.
There are two locations within 75 miles of Butler County, Ohio, where product will be collected this year.

On August 13, from 10:30 a.m. to 2:30 p.m., at the Fayette County Demonstration Farm next to the Fayette County Airport near Washington Court House, Ohio, the department will receive farm chemicals.

In Miami County, at the Miami County Fairgrounds on Sept. 3 from 10:30 a.m. until 2:30 p.m., the second collection in our area will be made. For more information, contact Ohio Department of Agriculture Pesticide Regulation Section at 1-800-282-1955, ext. 31.

The views and opinions expressed in this column are those of the author and not necessarily those of Farm World. Readers with questions or comments for Steve Bartels may write to him in care of this publication.