Clean Sweep Programs - US Environmental Protection Agency

Summary of New Mexico Waste Pesticide Disposal ProgramNo state agricultural pesticide collection program exists in New Mexico. No funds have beenavailable or are projected to be available in the near future for pesticide collection programs. However, ifthe legislature increases the Department of Agriculture’s annual appropriations or allows an increase inpesticide registration fees, part of the increase would be targeted as funding for a Clean Sweep program.Several cities in New Mexico conduct HHW programs. For example, the City of Las Crucescollected over 21,000 pounds of pesticides from residents from 1991 through 1997. It is assumed thatthese are household pesticides and not agricultural pesticides.New Mexico is working with the Ag Container Recycling Council and has conducted annual plasticcontainer collection programs since 1993. Approximately 328,000 pounds of plastic were collectedthrough 1999. The primary contractor, USAg Recycling, averaged 64,000 pounds of high-densitypolyethylene pesticide containers collected each year from 1997 through 1999.