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Farmers can dispose of pesticide containers on select dates from June through September.

June 7, 2021

2 Min Read
farmer wearing gloves holding pesticide container
RECYCLE: Farmers, pesticide applicators and other pesticide users can recycle used plastic pesticide containers at no cost at locations in Frederick, Harford, Kent, Montgomery, Talbot, Washington and Wicomico counties.Yevhenii Orlov/Getty Images

The Maryland Department of Agriculture’s Pesticide Regulation Section has announced the 2021 dates and drop-off locations for its Pesticide Container Recycling Program.

On certain days from June through September, farmers, pesticide applicators and other pesticide users can recycle used plastic pesticide containers at no cost at locations in Frederick, Harford, Kent, Montgomery, Talbot, Washington and Wicomico counties.

“For the past 28 years, the department has provided farmers and pesticide applicators with the opportunity to dispose of used pesticide containers safely and responsibly for free at convenient locations around the state,” says Joseph Bartenfelder, ag secretary. “This program not only recycles plastics, it also helps keep pesticide residue out of our local waterways and soil, ultimately helping to improve the health of the Chesapeake Bay and its tributaries.”

Those participating in the program are asked to properly rinse containers before drop-off. Containers acceptable for recycling will be chipped into recyclable plastic flakes by the Agricultural Container Recycling Council and transported to an approved recycling facility.

Since its inception, the program has yielded more than 1 million tons of recyclable plastic flakes. The program is a combined effort of state, county and federal agencies, and private industry working together to protect the environment. Rinsing and recycling empty pesticide containers will help to reduce the potential for contamination in groundwater and the Chesapeake Bay while also saving valuable landfill space. The program is free and open to all agricultural producers and pesticide applicators. 

A schedule of 2021 collection dates and locations is available on the department’s website. Be sure your containers meet the department’s specifications before drop-off. 

Additionally, for farmers or producers who want to safely dispose of any unwanted or unusable agricultural pesticides, the department also offers the Maryland Pesticide Disposal Program. The program will collect any product with a registration number from EPA or USDA, and any other material that can be identified as a pesticide. Any unknown material will be sampled and tested by the Maryland Department of Agriculture before collection to ensure safe and proper disposal. 

To participate in the pesticide disposal program, farmers must apply before Sept. 15.

For more information on Maryland’s Pesticide Container Recycling Program, contact the department’s Pesticide Regulation Section at 410-841-5710 or visit the department’s website

Source: Maryland Department of Agriculture, which is solely responsible for the information provided and is wholly owned by the source. Informa Business Media and all its subsidiaries are not responsible for any of the content contained in this information asset.

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