Dispose of pesticides at event to be held in Camilla on Feb. 10

Grady County residents are being encouraged to participate in an upcoming Pesticide Clean Day Collection event to be held in two weeks in Camilla.

The Georgia Department of Agriculture is sponsoring the event, which will be held on Wednesday, Feb. 10 from 9 a.m. until 3 p.m. at the Mitchell County Stadium in Camilla, 45 Industrial Blvd.

Participants will have the opportunity to discard old, unusable or canceled pesticides with a hazardous waste contractor for disposal.

Officials note that pesticides in leaking containers or disposed of improperly may cause environmental damage by contaminating water supplies or harming people and wildlife.

The event is free of charge and is open to all private and commercial applicators with the understanding that the event is designed and intended for farmers, lawn care services, golf courses and pest control companies.

However, the Georgia Department of Agriculture is requiring preregistration for this event.

Contact Rick Hayes, coordinator for the event by calling his office: (404) 656-4958 or his cell: (404) 535-1614 or emailing him at ricky.hayes@agr.georgia.gov.

Those interested in participating should list all pesticides to be turned in on the preregistration form so that officials can estimate types and volume of pesticides to be collected.

Acceptable materials include: insecticides, growth regulators, fungicides, harvest aid chemicals, nematicides, bactericides, herbicides and miscellaneous pesticides.

Items that will not be accepted include compressed gasses, solvents, paints, antifreeze, motor oil, explosive materials, or fertilizers or nutrients that are neither hazardous or do not contain pesticide. Empty containers or rinsates also will not be accepted.

Officials say that ag. dealers can make special arrangements to participate and their pesticide waste disposal will be weighed and billed at $1.15 per pound for disposal.