Pesticide Disposal Program

Disposal sites   Accepted Materials
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Commonly Asked Questions
Disposal Cost
District Map
Sign Up Form (Required)
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More About the Program

The Montana Department of Agriculture sponsors an annual, voluntary program to collect old, out-of-date or other wise unusable pesticides. By law, no legal action is taken against individuals disposing of canceled pesticides. Participation in this program protects groundwater, livestock and family members. Anyone statewide may register to bring pesticides in for disposal. From 1994 to 2007, more than 289,600 pounds of waste pesticides have been disposed of through this program.

Pesticide Disposal District Map

 

When and Where:
Each year pesticide collection events are held in one of the three pesticide disposal districts. The collection schedule is:

2008 District 1
2009 District 2
2010 District 3
2011 District 1

 

Locations and dates for the 2008 collection:


Disposal Cost

The disposal fee is FREE for the first 200 pounds and $0.50/lb for amounts in excess of 200 pounds. The disposal fee for pesticides, which are or have dioxins or dioxin precursors may have a higher fee.

Requirements: Participants must pre-register their unusable pesticide with the Montana Department of Agriculture so the collection can be managed safely and efficiently. The registration form must be mailed to:
Montana Department of Agriculture
Pesticide Disposal Program
P.O. Box 200201
Helena, MT 59620-0201

Accepted Materials

What Materials does the Pesticide Disposal Program Accept?
Accepted Materials
Examples of Materials Not Accepted
Pesticides
Pesticide Mixes
Unknown Pesticides
Metal Pesticide
Containers
Any non-pesticide material such as:
Plastic Containers
Fertilizers
Loaded M-44s
Solvents
Paints
Oil

More About the Program

The legislation authorizing the collection program was sponsored by Montana's agricultural industry and is funded, in part, by license fees that private, commercial, and government pesticide applicators and pesticide dealers pay to become licensed.

Annual pesticide collections began in 1994. More than 289,600 pounds of waste pesticide have been collected from more than 865 participants since then. Amounts collected have ranged from one pound to over 6,700 pounds. Common pesticides that have been brought to collection events include insecticides such as DDT, chlordane, and pentachlorophenol and herbicides like 2,4,5-T and dinoseb. Strychnine has been the primary rodenticide collected.

Participants must pre-register their unusable pesticide with the Montana Department of Agriculture before the collection event so the collection can be managed safely and efficiently. A fee is assessed, which is substantially lower than costs incurred through disposal options outside of this program. Licensed pesticide applicators and dealers receive a fee credit for that portion of their license fee earmarked for the disposal program.

All licensed pesticide applicators within the collection area will receive information and registration by mail in July. Unlicensed applicators can obtain registration forms from the department or their local MSU county extension agent. Registration for the program is requested by the end of August. For the most part, acceptance into the program is on a first come, first serve basis and early sign-up is encouraged.

For more information contact:

Beth Eiring
Montana Department of Agriculture
Phone: (406)444-5400
email: agr@mt.gov