Universal Waste - Pesticides
What we do
EPA defines “pesticide” as any substance or mixture of substances intended for preventing, destroying, repelling, or mitigating any pest, or intended for use as a plant regulator, defoliant, or desiccant. This broad definition would include insecticides, herbicides, fungicides, rodenticides and other types of pesticides. Two categories of pesticides may be managed as Universal Wastes if intended for disposal: (1) recalled stocks of suspended or canceled pesticides, and (2) stocks of other unused pesticides that are collected and managed as part of a waste pesticide collection program. In Idaho, the Idaho State Department of Agriculture (ISDA) conducts an annual pesticide disposal program directed at the second category. This service is free to all those who take advantage of it.
In April of each year, Environmental Health and Safety publishes an announcement of the upcoming ISDA pesticide collection. Then we collect the stocks of pesticides, package the containers and transport them to ISDA location for proper recycling or disposal.
How you can help
Practice safe pesticide handling, storage and disposal. The ISDA Pesticide Disposal Program is intended for stocks of pesticides. Pesticide mixtures, dilutions and rinsates should be sprayed on the target pest. Make sure stock pesticide containers are maintained in good condition. When Environmental Health and Safety announces the stock pesticide collection event, submit a Chemical Waste Collection Request for each container, print the label when prompted by the online system, and attach it to the container.