05/08/07 Getting rid of unusable pesticides

The Idaho State Department of Agriculture will have four pesticide disposal collections next week in north and southwest Idaho. Vic Mason is in charge of the pesticide disposal program that gives you the opportunity to get rid of unused, unwanted pesticides. MASON "The program is available to all pesticide users from growers, dealers, professional applicators to the home and garden folks, whoever has a pesticide that needs to be disposed of, now is your chance." And the best part is it's free. Mason has set up four collection points next week beginning Monday, May 14th at the Pickles Butte landfill in Nampa. MASON "At the Idaho Transportation Yard in Weiser on the 15th, the Nez Perce County fairgrounds in Lewiston on the 16th and Coeur d'Alene at the Transfer Station on the 17th." The collections will run each day from 9 am to 1 pm. You will be limited to one thousand pounds of pesticides at no cost. However, no fertilizer, micronutrients, paint, solvents or motor oil can be accepted. Eastern Idaho and Magic Valley residents your time is coming too but probably not until mid-September. Mason says the dates and locations for the fall collection aren't finalized just yet. In 14 years this program has safely disposed of three quarters of a million pounds of unusable pesticides. Today's Idaho Ag News Bill Scott