Clean Sweep Programs - US Environmental Protection Agency

Summary of Tennessee Waste Pesticide Disposal ProgramThe Tennessee Department of Agriculture, in cooperation with the Tennessee Valley Authority(TVA), EPA, University of Tennessee Agricultural Extension Service, and others, initiated the TennesseeAgricultural Pesticide Waste Collection Program as part of Tennessee’s State Management Plan forProtection of Groundwater from pesticides.The Tennessee waste collection program, planned to run for seven years, began in the spring of1998. For the initial events, counties were selected on the basis of high volume sales and usage rates. Inthe first year, 100,000 pounds of pesticide wastes were collected. The waste collection program isprojected to give every farmer in the state an opportunity to participate. Every collection event will beaccompanied by a fully trained Department of Agriculture representative and a commercial, licensedpesticide disposal company to receive chemical wastes safely.Farmers are eligible to participate at no cost for up to 1,000 pounds per farmer/vehicle. Greateramounts will be accepted if prior notice is given to and approved by the Tennessee Department ofAgriculture collection site manager or the county extension agent. Commercial and industrial entities areallowed to participate if arrangements are made with the disposal company in advance of the collectionevent, but a fee is charged for the disposal services.Participants transport pesticide wastes to the collection sites and are responsible for spillage,damage, cleanup and restoration resulting from transportation of pesticide wastes to the site. Upon enteringthe collection site, participants are first interviewed by a department representative to gather generalinformation that will be used to help improve future collections. Personnel trained in handling hazardousmaterials inspect vehicles for leaking containers. Participants are instructed to remain in vehicles and are notallowed to exchange materials between vehicles. Authorized personnel carefully remove, identify and sortpesticide waste.YearTennessee Table 1 - Quantity of Pesticides CollectedQuantity ofPesticides (pounds)Number ofParticipantsAverage Quantity of Pesticides perParticipant (pounds/participant)1998 100,000 359 2791999 100,000 290 3452000 100,000 285 351TOTAL 300,000 934 321Information on program cost is not available.