Farm Scene for the Salisbury Post

Darrell Blackwelder

April 29, 2002
 

     Now is the time for home gardeners to do a little spring
cleaning around the home. I'm not talking about normal household
chores or even cleaning up weeds in your flower beds.  I'm
speaking to those that have pesticides that they no longer use
that want to eliminate them from their inventory.
     I have spoken to quite a few homeowners and for a number of
reasons, many have old pesticides they would like to eliminate.
The best method of disposing unused pesticides is to use them or
give them to a friend or neighbor that correctly uses pesticides.
However, if you can't give them to someone that can use them,
there will be a Pesticide Disposal Day in Rowan County.
     The Pesticide Disposal Day will be held at the Cooperative
Extension Office on Old Concord Road,  May 8th from 10:00 a.m.
until 2:00 p.m. The Pesticide Disposal Day is joint effort
sponsored by the North Carolina Department of Agriculture, Rowan
County Environmental Services and Cooperative Extension.
     Farmers, home gardeners, businesses and homeowners that have
pesticides they want to discard now have the opportunity to
discard them legally and at no cost. There is no charge
to the participant for this service.  No pre­registration is
required. Participants that have pesticide products that are in
containers greater than 5 gallons in size will need to
pre­register in advance of May 8. Pesticides are defined as
insecticides, herbicides, fungicides, etc. Paints, thinners, and
other chemical or hazardous materials are not pesticides and will
not be accepted.
     Pesticide containers must be clearly labeled with product
information. The containers must be secured and not be leaking.
Non­labeled products will not be accepted.
     This Pesticide Disposal Day is schedule only for May 8th
between 10:00 a.m. and 2:00 p.m. Those that have pesticides but
cannot bring them to the site should make necessary arrangements
with friends or neighbors. Pesticide Disposal Days due not occur
each year because collections are usually rotated from county to
county. The collection day is the opportune time to eliminate
unwanted pesticides from your inventory. For more information,
contact Cooperative Extension at 704-633­0571.