State bringing Pesticide Disposal Program back to Big Isle for farms, commercial users

The Pesticides Branch of Hawai‘i Department of Agriculture and Biosecurity continues its second annual statewide Pesticide Disposal Program on Hawai‘i Island.

Farms and other commercial users of pesticides can safely dispose of canceled, suspended, unwanted or unlabeled pesticides through the program’s collection events.

The program is only for commercial operations as well as state and county government agencies.

Pesticide Disposal Program will be on the BIG ISLAND FOR PESTICIDE COLLECTION EVENTS:

• 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. Dec. 12 in Hilo: Registration deadline is 4:30 p.m. Nov. 21.
• 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. Dec. 16 in Kona: Registration deadline is 4:30 p.m. Nov. 25.

Exact drop-off locations will be provided only to registered participants.

Registration form and additional information are available on the state Department of Agriculture and Biosecurity website.

Each participant will be eligible for free disposal of up to 250 pounds of canceled, suspended, unwanted, unlabeled or unused pesticides and pesticidal wastes.

Questions regarding the program and registration assistance should be directed to EnviroServices & Training Center at 808-456-3494 or via email at wm@gotoetc.com.

Other neighbor island collection dates will be announced in the future.

Pesticide Disposal Program services are available to agricultural operations, including farms, ranches, nurseries and greenhouse growers along with pesticide dealers, licensed pest control operators, golf course operators, landscape professionals, state and city agencies.

Residential pesticides users are not eligible and should contact Hawai‘i County Department of Environmental Management Solid Waste Division and Recycling Section for information about hazardous waste disposal programs.

“While pesticides play a significant role in our daily lives, responsible pesticide management is crucial. Improper disposal can lead to potential risks for human and animal health and our environment,” said Hawai‘i Board of Agriculture and Biosecurity Chairperson Sharon Hurd in an state announcement about Pesticide Disposal Program. “With [Pesticide Disposal Program], our Pesticides Branch has developed an environmentally-friendly solution for commercial entities to dispose of unwanted pesticides at no cost.”

The pesticide collection program during its first year collected almost 40,000 pounds of pesticides waste statewide.

Final statistics from the 2023-24 Pesticide Disposal Program

Pounds of waste pesticides collected: 39,200-plus

Number of collection sites: 7

Pounds collected by site

• O‘ahu: 7,377
• Maui: 7,132
• Kaua‘i: 3,986
• Kona: 4,366
• Hilo: 2,944
• Moloka‘i: 833
• Lāna‘i: 12,642

Total program cost: $723,061

Oldest pesticide collected: 1980

The list of acceptable and unacceptable pesticides, safety tips for transporting pesticides, collection schedule, frequently asked questions and the program registration form are available at the Hawai‘i Department of Agriculture and Biosecurity website.

Participants must take an inventory of the pesticides they want to dispose of and identify the type and quantity of each pesticide.