Arkansas – The Arkansas Department of Agriculture has collected 447,354 pounds of unwanted pesticides in Lee, Monroe, St. Francis, and Woodruff counties as part of its Agricultural Abandoned Pesticide Program.
The initiative, which has been in place since 2005, has successfully removed and safely disposed of more than 6.8 million pounds of pesticides across the state.
The program aims to provide farmers and landowners with a safe and environmentally responsible way to discard pesticides that are no longer needed or have become obsolete.
By properly disposing of these chemicals, the department helps prevent potential environmental contamination and ensures compliance with state and federal regulations.
Collection events are held periodically throughout the state, allowing agricultural producers to bring in pesticides free of charge.
The effort is a collaboration between the Arkansas Department of Agriculture, the Arkansas State Plant Board, and the University of Arkansas Division of Agriculture, with funding provided by the Arkansas Abandoned Pesticide Trust Fund.
Officials emphasize the importance of proper pesticide disposal to safeguard water sources, soil quality, and public health.
The program continues to be a key part of the state’s agricultural sustainability efforts, with future collection events planned in additional counties.