MDA Collects 20 Tons of Empty Pesticide Containers for Recycling This Year

Program Encourages Proper Disposal to Protect the Chesapeake Bay

ANNAPOLIS, MD (Dec. 8, 2010) – The Maryland Department of Agriculture (MDA) offers empty pesticide container recycling programs for farmers, golf courses, government agencies and commercial applicators.  This program is offered free of charge and paid for through special fund revenues collected from licensing and certification fees and through pesticide product registration fees.

“This beneficial pesticide recycling program helps to protect the Chesapeake Bay and keep Maryland smart, green and growing by removing potential contaminants from the environment through proper disposal,” said Agriculture Secretary Buddy Hance. “MDA encourages farmers and others who are eligible to participate in this program, which is offered free of charge.”

Each year since 1993, MDA has operated an empty pesticide plastic container inspection and collection program open to the public in at least seven locations statewide from June through September.  In addition, 13 pesticide dealer sites participate in the program. During 2010, 41,000 containers, weighing 20 tons, were collected from 130 participants.  The pesticide containers are collected, chipped, processed and remanufactured into new pesticide containers by a contractor hired by the pesticide manufacturing industry.  Since the program began, MDA has collected 657,000 empty pesticide containers – weighing nearly 280 tons – for recycling.

This year’s pesticide container recycling program operated in Caroline, Carroll, Frederick, Harford, Kent, Prince George’s, Queen Anne’s, Talbot, Washington and Wicomico counties.

The Maryland Department of Agriculture (MDA) manages the use of pesticides through regulatory and educational programs for private (farmer), public agency and commercial pesticide applicators that operate in Maryland to ensure that pesticide are used properly and that adverse effects from their use are avoided or minimized. Click here for more pesticide regulation information.

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