Union County pesticide collection slated for Monday

Union County producers and commercial applicators will have the opportunity to dispose of outdated and unused pesticides during a collection event on Monday, March 6. The event will take place at the South Arkansas Regional Airport at 418 Airport Drive in El Dorado.

The pesticide collection is free and is made available through funding from the Arkansas Department of Agriculture Abandoned Pesticide Trust Fund. Products that will be accepted are outdated, discontinued or unwanted agricultural pesticides. These pesticides may include older products that are more toxic, such as arsenicals, DDT, silvex, heptachlor, dieldrin, lindane and toxaphene.

Many old pesticides cannot legally be used or disposed of through usual means, such as landfills, and producers are asked to bring these pesticides to this event for disposal.

The purpose of this collection is to promote a safer and cleaner environment by reducing the amount of pesticides that could potentially contaminate the drinking water, groundwater, streams, rivers and lakes across the state, according to Union County Extension agent Shaney Hill. To date, the pesticide collections have brought in over five million pounds of unwanted materials from 75 counties.

Those interested in disposing of pesticides should contact the Union County Farm Bureau office at 870863-4592 to pre-register. Any identifying information, such as name and address, will be removed from the registration form so that anonymity may be provided. Contact Hill at 870-864-1916 for information on safely transporting chemicals to the event location.