You don’t need to throw empty pesticide jugs in the farm dump behind the woods or leave them piled up in the shed. And don’t even consider tossing them down an abandoned cistern well. There is an easy, legal, no-cost or low-cost way to dispose of both empty jugs and jugs with pesticide still inside.

The Office of the Indiana State Chemist is sponsoring the Clean Sweep Pesticide Disposal Program again in 2022, with collections on six days in August. Dates and locations are listed below.

Whether you’ve got suspended, canceled, banned, unusable, opened, unopened or unwanted pesticides, it doesn’t matter. All will be accepted during the Clean Sweep program, according to Nathan Davis with OISC. The pesticides can come from any class: herbicides, insecticides, rodenticides, fungicides, miticides and more.

“Each person can bring up to 250 pounds for free,” Davis says. If you have larger quantities, contact Davis to inquire about costs. Everyone who participates needs to complete a participant form. Download it at oisc.purdue.edu or email Davis at [email protected] and request a form. Completed forms must be mailed, faxed or emailed by Aug. 5.

Once you’re signed up, simply show up with your unwanted pesticides at the Clean Sweep location on the specified day. Make sure the material is in labeled, leak-free containers which are safe to transport to the collection site.

“Do not mix materials,” Davis cautions. “In case of an emergency, bring a list of products you’re carrying to the disposal day with you. Provide a contact number as well.”

Collection places, times

Here is where and when you can drop off materials. Remember that to participate, you must complete the proper paperwork and mail, email or fax it by Aug. 5.

Drop-off times are from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. local time on the specified day. If you have questions, email Davis at [email protected] or call 765-494-1585.