Clean Sweep Programs - US Environmental Protection Agency

Summary of Maryland Waste Pesticide Disposal ProgramThe first pesticide collection and disposal program was conducted in 1995 through an EPA grant for$75,000. The collection program was offered to three counties as a one-time opportunity for growers.Participation in the program required a registration form for an inventory of the type and quantities ofpesticides for disposal. Participants were selected on a first-come basis. Inspectors conducted on-siteinspections to verify types and quantities with information on the registration form. A contractor was hiredthrough competitive bid to pick up 33,368 pounds of pesticides from 57 farmers. Again, in 1996, thisprogram was offered to three counties, and 70 farmers participated for a collection of 14,889 pounds.In 1997 and 1998, the Maryland University Extension Service along with Maryland Farm Bureauand the Maryland Nurserymen’sAssociation cooperated with the Department of Agriculture to promote andconduct pesticide collection and disposal programs. A total of 34,279 pounds of pesticides were collectedfrom 72 growers. In 1999 the disposal program was offered to growers in Western and Central Maryland.A total of 4,454 pounds of pesticides were collected from 28 growers.These collection programs consist of individual farm pick ups and are conducted on a county basis.The Department of Agriculture registers all waste pesticides and obtains, through the Maryland Departmentof the Environment, a temporary Generator Number for each farm location. A Universal Waste Rule waswritten in 2001 and will be submitted to the Maryland General Assembly for approval in late 2001 or early2002.Maryland did not provide funding in 2000 for the collection and disposal of pesticides. To stay infront of future collection and disposal of unwanted pesticides in Maryland, the Department of Agricultureaccepts registration forms for future programs. Those registering will be kept on an “interest list” and givenpriority for any future collection and disposal programs. Pesticides were collected and disposed of in 2001.YearQuantity ofPesticides(pounds)Maryland Table 1 - Quantity of Pesticides CollectedNumber ofParticipantsAverage Quantityof Pesticides perParticipant(pounds/participant)Program CostAverage Cost(per pound)1995 33,368 57 585 $50,052 $1.501996 14,889 70 213 $30,820 $2.071997 13,433 32 420 $23,508 $1.751998 20,846 40 521 $36,481 $1.751999 4,454 28 159 $12,604 $2.832000 0 0 NA 0 NATOTAL 86,990 227 383 $153,465 $1.76NA = not applicable