CHEMSWEEP Waste Pesticide Disposal Program
Each year, pesticide products are cancelled by the manufacturer or phased out by operations, leaving growers and applicators with quantities of unwanted and/or unusable pesticides. Due to the nature of these materials, there are often limited options available for responsible management. The high cost of disposal prohibits many users from hiring professionals to dispose of these materials which can postpone disposal decisions indefinitely. The waste pesticides may then become a safety hazard and environmental liability through long-term storage in barns and other areas in and around the farm or business.
CHEMSWEEP provides Pennsylvania farmers and other licensed applicators with a means to dispose of canceled, suspended, or unwanted pesticide products. Environmental liability and health and safety issues are the primary concerns. The liability may also manifest itself as an extra burden in the event of a transfer or sale of the property. By participating in this program, applicators can legally dispose of waste pesticides, generally at little or no cost. Almost all of the waste pesticides collected are burned in EPA-approved incinerators. The remaining pesticides are treated and placed in EPA-permitted hazardous waste landfills.
CHEMSWEEP has grown from the collection of a modest 30,000 pounds of pesticides from six counties in 1993, to a program that serves all of Pennsylvania, having collected 2 million pounds of waste pesticides through 2012.
How to Participate: Growers, pesticide applicators and licensed pesticide businesses in selected Pennsylvania counties are eligible for CHEMSWEEP each year. Homeowners are eligible to dispose of waste pesticides through CHEMSWEEP by participating in county-sponsored Household Hazardous Waste collection events (check with your county Solid Waste Authority for details).
To participate, check the CHEMSWEEP 2013 map to see if your county is eligible. Then complete the CHEMSWEEP registration form and return to the address shown. Counties typically rotate on a 3-4 year cycle.
Collections usually take place during the warm weather months. CHEMSWEEP will cover the cost of the first 2,000 pounds per participant. Participants with waste pesticides exceeding 2,000 pounds will be responsible for the cost of the excess amount and will be direct-invoiced by the PDA contractor at the contracted price at time of service. Any pesticide product that is or has been registered for sale or use in the Commonwealth will be accepted in this program.
All registration forms will be verified by the PDA prior to collection of the waste pesticides. These materials are classified as Universal Waste Pesticides and will be collected, packaged, transported and disposed of in accordance with all applicable rules and regulations. The PDA contractor assumes final generator status of your waste pesticides at the time of collection.
If you have questions regarding the collection of tires, batteries, oil, paint, etc., please see DEP’s Household Hazardous Waste Program.
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