Arkansas Department of Agriculture Collects Over 4,000 Pounds of Unwanted Pesticides

Arkansas Department of Agriculture Collects Over 4,000 Pounds of Unwanted Pesticides

The Arkansas Department of Agriculture’s Agricultural Abandoned Pesticide Program collected 4,097 pounds of unwanted pesticides across eight counties during spring 2023 collection events. Since 2005, the Agricultural Abandoned Pesticide Program has overseen the collection and disposal of 5,864,940 pounds of unwanted pesticides in counties across Arkansas.

“The Arkansas Department of Agriculture is proud to work with our partners in administering the Agricultural Abandoned Pesticide Program,” says Arkansas Secretary of Agriculture Wes Ward. “Events like these, held annually throughout the state, help ensure safe and proper disposal of unwanted pesticides and prevent them from potentially polluting our environment.”

The totals for each event were:

  • Columbia/Union County: 1,347 pounds
  • Bradley/Cleveland County: 2,200 pounds
  • Calhoun/Ouachita County: 275 pounds
  • Clark/Dallas County: 275 pounds

Participation in collection events is free and anonymous to farmers and other non-industrial landowners. The program is funded through pesticide registration fees. Pesticide collection events have taken place in every county in the state. Fall 2023 collection dates will be announced at a later date.

Commonly collected items include old or outdated pesticides such as calcium arsenate, sodium cyanide, lindane, chlordane, and 2,4,5-T. Registered pesticides, like glyphosate products and 2,4-D, that are unusable because they have been exposed to the elements or have been held over from previous growing seasons also can be collected.

The Agricultural Abandoned Pesticide Program is conducted in cooperation with the University of Arkansas Cooperative Extension Service, Arkansas Farm Bureau, and the Arkansas Department of Energy and Environment. Representatives from these agencies make up the Abandoned Pesticide Advisory Board which is responsible for selecting county sites for collection events. The Advisory Board gives special consideration to priority watersheds when selecting counties/regions for site collections.

The Arkansas Department of Agriculture is dedicated to the development and implementation of policies and programs for Arkansas agriculture, forestry, and natural resources to keep its farmers and ranchers competitive in national and international markets while conserving natural resources and ensuring safe food, fiber, and forest products for the citizens of the state and nation. Visit www.agriculture.arkansas.gov/. The Arkansas Department of Agriculture offers its programs to all eligible persons regardless of race, color, national origin, sex, age, or disability and is an Equal Opportunity Employer.