For Immediate Release
September
12, 2018
Contact: Megan
Patterson 207-287-2731, pesticides@maine.gov John Bott 207-287-3156, john.c.bott@maine.gov
Mainers
Urged to Sign Up for Free Disposal of Unusable Pesticides
Maine DEP and Board of Pesticides Control promote responsible disposal
AUGUSTA—Unusable
pesticides, such as weed killers (herbicides) and bug killers (insecticides),
can be dangerous to humans, pets, and the environment. Pesticides can become
unusable due to age, freezing or evaporation, or because their legal registration
changes. Improper disposal of these products can contaminate land and
water resources, including drinking water.
Participants must pre-register by October 5, 2018. Drop-ins are not permitted. Collections will occur at four sites: Presque Isle, Bangor, Augusta, and Portland.
Homeowners,
family-owned farms, and greenhouses can dispose of unusable pesticides through
the free Obsolete Pesticide Collection sponsored by the Maine Department of
Agriculture, Conservation and Forestry’s (DACF) Board of Pesticides Control
(BPC) and the Maine Department of Environmental Protection (DEP). The program
is funded through product registration fees; since 1982 it has kept more than
103 tons of pesticides out of the waste stream.
“Providing Maine residents with
a free and easy solution to properly dispose of pesticides gives everyone an
opportunity to make a positive impact on our environment and public health,”
said Paul Mercer, DEP Commissioner.
DACF Commissioner Walt Whitcomb
is encouraging Mainers to seize this free opportunity. “It is not uncommon for
people to find themselves with obsolete pesticides and not know how to dispose
of them. It’s important for the
protection of the public, wildlife, and environmental health that they are
dealt with properly and not thrown in the trash or down the drain.”
To register and learn important
information about the temporary storage and transportation of obsolete
pesticides, go to the BPC Web site at thinkfirstspraylast.org , or call 207-287-2731.
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For
more information on the Maine Board of Pesticides Control, go to: thinkfirstspraylast.org.
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For
more information on the Maine Department of Environmental Protection, go
to: maine.gov/dep
Important
Note to the Media:
Since pre-registration is required, please post any information from this
release as soon as possible. This will allow adequate time for participants and
the Board of Pesticides Control to process applications. Thank you for your
help in getting the word out!
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