Free Disposal of Pesticide Containers Offered to All

The Maryland Department of Agriculture  will sponsor a summer collection program for empty plastic pesticide containers from licensed pesticide applicators.  The nearest collection site to St. Mary’s County is the Frederick County Landfill, 9031 Reich’s Ford Road. The collection dates are June 25, July 23, August 20, and September 24 between the hours of 9 a.m. and 3 p.m.

The recycled containers will be made into plastic lumber and other recycled products. MDA inspectors will supervise the collection to ensure only triple rinsed, clean pesticide containers are collected.  Additional information can be found on the web at www.mda.state.md.us  or by calling 1-410-841-5710.

For information about recycling in St. Mary’s County, please contact the Department of Public Works and Transportation, Recycling Program at (301) 863-8400, or on the web at www.stmarysmd.com.

Over the course of 20 years Maryland Department of Agriculture has  helped to prevent improperly disposed of pesticides from polluting our environment, and has kept more then 740,000 empty containers from filling our landfills according to the Maryland Department of Agriculture.

“This beneficial pesticide recycling program is a win-win situation for everyone and protects the environment from possible contamination. We are very pleased with the response by farmers, commercial agricultural pesticide applicators and other pesticide users to this program,” said Agriculture Secretary Buddy Hance. “The program offers producers and others a free way to dispose of pesticide containers, protects the Chesapeake Bay and keeps Maryland smart, green and growing by removing potential contaminants through proper disposal. It also provides a source of recycled material for vendors. As word has spread about the benefits of the program, participation has consistently increased.”

Empty pesticide containers are considered to be hazardous materials and the EPA cautions that state and local disposal laws can be more strict than federal laws printed on the labels. Improper disposal of leftover pesticides can pollute the land, the waterways and many sewage treatment plants are not equipped to remove 100% of pesticides from household waste.

Proper disposal of empty containers protects the environment, frees space in landfills and allowed the material to be recycled into new materials.