AUSTIN – The Texas Department of Agriculture (TDA) and the Texas A&M AgriLife Extension Service joined forces Wednesday, November 6 to host a Pesticide Waste Collection and Pesticide Container Recycling event in Weslaco, Texas. This free, public event allowed agriculture producers to safely dispose of unwanted pesticides and pesticide containers.

Funded by a grant of $400,000 from TDA, the agriculture pesticide waste collection event was a huge success. Approximately 74,800 pounds of unwanted agriculture pesticides were collected. 

“Thanks to everyone who came out and helped us get these chemicals disposed of properly,” Commissioner Miller said. “The last three disposal events we have held in conjunction with the Texas A&M AgriLife Extension Service have been a huge success. Each time we see the numbers increase.”



Long-term storage of pesticides can lead to the deterioration of pesticide containers, and possible environmental damage due to leaking containers on the farm and into ground waters. 

“As an eighth-generation farmer and rancher, I understand the importance of safely disposing unwanted pesticides and keeping these poisons out of the environment,” said Texas Agriculture Commissioner Sid Miller. “Pesticide safety is a top priority at the Texas Department of Agriculture, and this is a great opportunity for farmers and ranchers to get rid of these pesticides in the safest way possible.”

TDA and Texas A&M AgriLife hosted a similar disposal event in Wharton County in December, the first such event since 2011 and again June 13 in Coryell County.

For more information on pesticides, you can check out the TDA Pesticide website at http://ow.ly/lPR630mOF3s

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Contact: Maddison Jaureguito at 512-463-7899