PESTICIDE DISPOSAL PROGRAM FAQ
What is the Pesticide Disposal Program?
The Pesticide Disposal Program (“PDP”) provides agricultural, licensed pest control operators, landscape professionals, golf course operators, and other commercial users of pesticides with an opportunity to safely dispose of canceled, suspended, unwanted, unlabeled (“CSUU”) pesticides and pesticidal wastes.
Who can participate in the disposal program?
The PDP is available to farmers, such as nurseries, greenhouse operators, crops, livestock, etc. Additionally, pesticide dealers, licensed pest control operators, golf course operators, landscape professionals, State or City agencies, and other commercial end users of pesticides are eligible. Contact EnviroServices & Training Center, 808-456-3494, [email protected] or visit the HDOA webpage (https://hdoa.hawaii.gov/pi/main/pesticide-disposal-program/) to receive a registration form. This program is for commercial entities only; homeowners are ineligible.
What is accepted?
Canceled, suspended, unwanted, unlabeled, unused, banned, or expired pesticides (i.e., insecticides, herbicides, fungicides, Arsenicals, Silvex, Heptachlor, Dieldrin, Lindane, Toxaphene) material, up to 250 pounds per eligible participant. The product must be able to be identified as a pesticide.
What is NOT accepted?
Unacceptable items include, but not limited to:
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I have pesticide gas cylinders that need to be discarded?
Gas cylinders are normally returned to the manufacturer for refill or disposal. You should contact the chemical dealer to determine if the cylinders can be returned. Pressurized gas cylinders will not be accepted.
Are homeowners eligible?
No. Homeowners are ineligible. Please visit the City & County of Honolulu, Household Hazardous Waste webpage for information on homeowner disposal options (https://www.honolulu.gov/opala/quick-links/hhw.html).
How much does it cost to participate?
The PDP is an available, affordable, and environmentally accessible mechanism for the proper disposal of CSUU pesticides. FREE disposal will be provided for up to 250 pounds of CSUU pesticides per eligible participant.
What if I have more than 250 pounds of CSUU pesticides that need disposed?
The State will pay the contractor for up to 250 pounds of unwanted pesticides per eligible participant. Participants contributing more than 250 pounds of CSUU pesticides may enter into a separate disposal agreement with the contractor at the same reduced payment rate billed to the HDOA.
Is participation mandatory?
No. Participation in the PDP is voluntary. However, the HDOA highly encourages your participation in this FREE pesticide disposal event.
Is my participation confidential?
Yes. Your privacy matters. No information that could personally identify you or your business will be published. Participants will remain anonymous and any information collected by the contractor will be kept confidential.
THE HDOA WILL NOT COLLECT ANY PARTICIPANT INFORMATION
Where will the collection event be held?
The initial disposal event will be on Oahu with future events to be held on the outer islands at a date yet to be determined.
Where will the wastes go?
The collected materials will be disposed of through the PDP. The pesticides will be collected by a licensed hazardous waste professional and disposed of at a licensed hazardous waste site within the continental United Sates.
Do I have to register to participate?
Yes. Registration is mandatory to participate. A Registration form must be submitted to participate. Registration forms are available at the Hawaii Farm Bureau, Hawaii Pest Control Association, Landscape Industry Council of Hawaii, University of Hawaii Cooperative Extension office, your local industry trade group, or downloaded from the HDOA website at: https://hdoa.hawaii.gov/pi/main/pesticide-disposal-program/, or contact EnviroServices & Training Center at 808-456-3494 or [email protected].
Complete the registration form listing the name and amount of each pesticide you want disposed and return the form to EnviroServices & Training Center at [email protected].
DO NOT RETURN REGISTRATION FORMS TO THE HDOA
What is the expected timeline of the program?
Registration deadline is Friday, September 8, 2023 by 4:30pm. The Oahu collection event date will be held on Saturday, September 30, 2023. Location will only be provided to registered participants.
What will happen to the information listed on my registration form?
During the collection event, the licensed contractor will verify the registration form and the pesticides listed for disposal. The contractor may need to sample large quantities of unknown or unidentified pesticide material for analysis.
Will the HDOA have access to my registration form?
No. Any information that could personally identify you or your business will not be shared with the HDOA. Participants will remain anonymous and any information collected by the contractor will be kept confidential. The HDOA will only receive a list of the types and total amounts of pesticides disposed.
Will the HDOA use my participation in the program as a means to prosecute for illegal management of pesticides?
NO ENFORCEMENT ACTION WILL BE TAKEN!
The PDP is a service program designed to remove CSUU pesticides from storage and reduce the potential threat to public health and the environment. Your participation will not subject you to any type of enforcement action. Your participation will be anonymous and any information collected by the contractor will be kept confidential.
What Can I Do to Help?
Mark the collection day on your calendar as a reminder. Check your pesticide storage and correctly complete the registration form. Spread the message about the PDP and its value through friends, farming and community organizations, trade associations, and agribusiness connections.
Should I throw out my unwanted/unused pesticides?
No. Improper disposal of waste pesticides may result in surface or groundwater pollution, as well as, pose a threat to public health and the environment. The PDP provides commercial pesticide users the opportunity to properly discard unwanted pesticide products in an environmentally responsible manner, anonymously and free of charge.
NO ENFORCEMENT ACTION WILL BE TAKEN!
The PDP is a safe way to protect public health and the environment from pesticide pollution and contamination. Never pour pesticides down any drain. Old pesticide containers will deteriorate over time. Leaking containers can result in pesticide exposure to people, pets, wildlife and the environment. By participating in the PDP, you may be able to avoid costly clean ups or pesticide exposure by removing and disposing of unwanted pesticide products.
What if my waste pesticides are in containers that are leaking?
The pesticide and leaking container must be placed in an “over pack” container. This container must be large enough to hold the pesticide and original container and its contents must be identified on the outside of the “over pack” container. Make sure any contaminated articles and clean-up materials are also placed in the “over pack” container.
What should I do if I cannot handle the waste or transport it to the collection site?
It may be possible to make arrangements with the hazardous waste contractor to pick up your wastes. Please contact EnviroServices & Training Center at 808-456-3494 or email [email protected].
Will someone pick up my pesticides?
Each eligible participant will be responsible for the safe transportation of their pesticide waste to the collection site. If containers are deteriorating or leaking, pick-up assistance may possibly be arranged with the contractor. Pick-ups will be at the sole discretion of the contractor.
What happens if an unknown material is not a pesticide?
You must make arrangements with the contractor to pay for the disposal of any waste that is not a pesticide. It is the contractor’s and/or HDOA’s discretion to accept or reject any non-pesticidal wastes. The PDP will not accept any non-pesticidal wastes.
What Should I Do If I Have Excess Pesticide?
The best solution to the problem of what to do with excess pesticides it to take steps to avoid having them:
- Buy only the amount needed.
- Carefully calculate the amount of diluted pesticide is needed and mix only that amount.
- Use all the mixed pesticide in accordance with the label instructions.
If you have excess pesticides that are usable, first try to find a way to use them in accordance with the label. The best option is to apply the pesticide on a site listed in the pesticide labeling.
If you have pesticide products in their original containers that you cannot use, you may be able to find another pesticide handler who can utilize the product. You may be able to return any unused pesticides; check with the dealer, formulator, or manufacturer for details.
For questions, comments, or concerns please contact EnviroServices & Training Center,
808-456-3494, [email protected], or visit the HDOA webpage for more information https://hdoa.hawaii.gov/pi/main/pesticide-disposal-program/.