AUGUSTA—Unusable pesticides, such as weed killers (herbicides) and bug killers (insecticides), can be dangerous to humans, pets, and the environment. Pesticides can become unusable due to age, freezing or evaporation, or because their legal registration changes. Improper disposal of these products can contaminate land and water resources, including drinking water.

Participants must pre-register by October 5, 2018. Drop-ins are not permitted. Collections will occur at four sites: Presque Isle, Bangor, Augusta, and Portland.

Homeowners, family-owned farms, and greenhouses can dispose of unusable pesticides through the free Obsolete Pesticide Collection sponsored by the Maine Department of Agriculture, Conservation and Forestry’s (DACF) Board of Pesticides Control (BPC) and the Maine Department of Environmental Protection (DEP). The program is funded through product registration fees; since 1982 it has kept more than 103 tons of pesticides out of the waste stream.

“Providing Maine residents with a free and easy solution to properly dispose of pesticides gives everyone an opportunity to make a positive impact on our environment and public health,” said Paul Mercer, DEP Commissioner.

DACF Commissioner Walt Whitcomb is encouraging Mainers to seize this free opportunity. “It is not uncommon for people to find themselves with obsolete pesticides and not know how to dispose of them. It’s important for the protection of the public, wildlife, and environmental health that they are dealt with properly and not thrown in the trash or down the drain.”

Advance registration is required for this event.  The DEP was unable to accept walk ins for this collection event.  Pesticides contain a variety of organic compounds that don’t always play nicely together.  Limiting the event to registered participants allows DEP staff to safely process and store disposal items during the event.

To register and learn important information about the temporary storage and transportation of obsolete pesticides, go to the BPC Web site at thinkfirstspraylast.org , or call 207-287-2731.

• For more information on the Maine Board of Pesticides Control, go to: thinkfirstspraylast.org.
• For more information on the Maine Department of Environmental Protection, go to: maine.gov/dep