March 10, 2006

Seventeen sites collecting waste pesticides and PCBs in March and April

This is the 10th such joint venture of the Nebraska Department of Agriculture (NDA) and University of Nebraska-Lincoln Extension since the program began in 1995. All pesticides except those in pressurized cylinders are accepted for disposal. Since the program’s initial collections, more than 1,000 tons of unwanted pesticide products have been collected from across Nebraska. Of that total, more than four tons have been electrical transformers.

Tips for turning in pesticides or transformers Leave pesticide labels on containers. Handle containers with chemical resistant gloves and in a way to prevent the contents from spilling. Wash hands with soap and water after handling. Take pesticide materials in for identification and disposal if containers' labels have been removed or are illegible. Transport smaller quantities of pesticides in fragile containers in a plastic bucket or other container that will contain the pesticide if it begins leaking. Do not transport pesticides in the passenger compartment of vehicles.

Waste pesticides accepted for disposal at the collection sites may include herbicides, insecticides and fungicides, as well as all types of agricultural, livestock, home, lawn and garden, and structural and commercial pesticides, including those in aerosol containers. Farmers and ranchers also may dispose of old electrical transformers from irrigation systems, many of which contain PCBs, which have been linked to certain cancers and other health problems.

Collected pesticides and transformers will be disposed of by Clean Harbors, which operates a disposable facility near Kimball.

Disposal sites will not accept oil, antifreeze, paint, varnish, thinners, cleaners, solvents or pesticide products in pressurized cylinders. There is no charge for quantities of pesticides up to 1,000 pounds. Anyone who anticipates turning in more than half a ton of waste products should notify Rich Reiman, administrator of the NDA Bureau of Plant Industry, at (402) 471-2394. Total product weight of more than 1,000 pounds requires a nominal fee of $1 per pound for each pound over 1,000 pounds.