N.H. Division of Pesticide Control’s Pesticide Disposal Program
Initial survey will determine inventory, extent of need
The state Division of Pesticide Control recently rolled out plans for a program that will give New Hampshire's commercial growers a chance to dispose of unwanted pesticides at no charge.
The program begins with a careful inventory, essential for determining the volume and location of unwanted pesticides, securing funding to subsidize the disposal, contracting with a vendor, and setting up one or more collection sites.
"Conversations with the New Hampshire Farm Bureau and our own random survey of farmers around the state made us realize that there's a terrific need for this kind of program," says David Rousseau, who heads the N.H. Division of Pesticide Control. "We learned that almost everybody has some."
Accurate inventory essential first step
Aiming for a June, 2010 start for the actual disposal program, Rousseau says, "We hope to get as many people as possible responding. An accurate inventory is absolutely critical to moving forward. Finding a disposal contractor and a disposal site or sites, and securing funding all depend on what's out there, where the materials are located and what condition they're in.”
To that end, Rousseau’s division has worked with various stakeholders to develop a survey. He hopes all N.H. commercial growers with unwanted pesticides will complete.
"If we do receive a lot of feedback and find out there's a lot of inventory out there beyond our capacity to handle next spring, we'll look to getting federal support for a few years until we can develop a long-term funding solution," says Rousseau.
No legal action for past pesticide practices
Rousseau emphasizes that participating in the survey or disposal program won't result in any legal action related to past pesticide management practices. He encourages anyone with questions to contact the Division of Pesticide Control at 271-3550 or by e-mail at pesticides@agr.state.nh.us.
Homeowners, small-quantity commercial generators
Home gardeners and others with small quantities of unwanted pesticides should check with local authorities to see if their community will participate in an upcoming household hazardous waste collection. Ask if the pesticide you want to dispose of is included in the list of acceptable materials.
Homeowners from any part of the state who want to dispose safely of a small quantity of unwanted pesticides of any description (containers of one gallon or smaller) or other household hazardous products may dispose of these materials for a fee at the Lakes Region Household Hazardous Product Facility located in Wolfeboro at 404 Beech Pond Road. Cost: $40 for each 5 gallons or 5-gallon increment of materials.
The facility is open every third Saturday from June through September, from 8:30 a.m. until noon. Small-quantity generators who don't fit the household requirements may also use the facility, but must make arrangements in several weeks in advance by calling Sarah Silk at 569-5826 or 651-7530.
Survey of Unwanted Pesticides in New Hampshire
