Clean out the chemicals

During the Aug. 1, 2020, pesticide collection event at MFA Agri Services in Montgomery City, approximately 13, 287 pounds of waste chemicals were collected from 33 participants. The free program continues at different locations in 2021 starting this month. When you’re thinking about spring cleaning this year, don’t forget about those old, unwanted or leftover pesticide products sitting in your barn, shed, garage or home. The Missouri Department of Natural Resources’ Pesticide Collection Program is offering free events throughout the state to properly dispose of agricultural and household chemicals.

Simply throwing away pesticides or pouring them down the drain can be detrimental to the environment, septic systems and the water supply. At these collection events, approved hazardous waste contractors will take these products and send them to a permitted inciner­ation facility. Accepted materials include herbicides, insecticides, fungicides, rodenticides, dewormers, fly tags and fertilizer containing pesticides.

From 2012 to 2020, the Missouri Pesticide Collec­tion Program conducted 56 events, collecting nearly 630,000 pounds of waste pesticide from 1,751 partic­ipants.

In 2021, six collection events are scheduled from March through September, including two at MFA facilities in Lincoln and Marthasville. All events run from 8 a.m. until noon.

• March 13 — Baker Implement Company, Homecrest St., Kennett
• March 20 — S & H Farm Supply, 7 State Road A, Lockwood
• June 5 — MFA Producers Exchange No. 84, 21127 Hwy. 65, Lincoln
• June 26 — Ricketts Farm Service, 29394 Sterling Ave., Salisbury
• Aug. 28 — Prairieland FS, 23922 State Rt. 81, Kahoka
• Sept. 25 — MFA Agri Services, 304 Depot St., Marthasville

Keep all pesticides in original containers and identify those not in original contain­ers or with missing labels. Do not mix the pesticides with other materials, like used motor oil or antifreeze. Make sure lids are tightly sealed. If the container is leaking, place it in a larger container with a nonflam­mable absorbent, such as clay-based cat box litter. Secure waste pesticides upright in a cardboard box and transport in the back of a pickup truck, trailer or car trunk. Keep flammables out of direct sunlight and away from sources of heat.

A hazardous waste contractor will unload the pesticides from your vehicle at the collec­tion event. Non-pesticide waste brought to the event will be rejected and sent back with the participant.

For more information, call 573-751-0616 or visit online at dnr.mo.gov/env/hwp/pesticide.