Pesticide disposal events set for Fairview and Atoka

Friday, October 4, 2024

Media Contact: Trisha Gedon | Sr. Communications Specialist | 405-744-3625 | trisha.gedon@okstate.edu

Oklahoma State University’s Pesticide Safety Education Program will partner with the Oklahoma Department of Agriculture, Food and Forestry to host two unwanted pesticide disposal days in the Oklahoma communities of Fairview and Atoka.

What: Unwanted pesticides are unusable as originally intended for various reasons including pesticides that are left over or no longer registered in Oklahoma, those that no longer have labels or chemicals that are no longer identifiable. Farmers, ranchers, commercial and non-commercial applicators, pesticide dealers and homeowners may bring up to 2,000 pounds of pesticides to the drop-off sites for proper disposal at no charge. A fee is required if more than 2,000 pounds of pesticides are brought. Pesticide dealers are asked to pre-register due to the potential of large quantities expected from multiple dealers or locations.

When and where:

• 8 a.m. to 1 p.m., Oct. 22, Major County Fairgrounds, 808 E. Highland St., Fairview
• 8 a.m. to 1 p.m., Oct. 24, Atoka County Fairgrounds, 2071 W. Liberty Rd., Atoka

Why: Since 2006, over 1.39 million pounds of pesticides have been properly disposed of during the Unwanted Pesticide Disposal Days, preventing the chemicals from running into rivers, streams, landfills, storm drains and illegal roadside dumps. People cleaning out garages, barns and storage buildings can use this opportunity to dispose of old pesticides and chemicals safely.

Participants must transport their pesticides to one of the collection sites safely. Pick-up services are not available. Read these safe transportation tips before bringing chemicals to the drop-off site.For more information, visit the OSU Pesticide Safety Education Program website or contact Charles Luper, OSU Extension associate, at 405-744-5808.