The Shadow
Farmers, pesticide dealers, pest control firms, certified applicators, homeowners and golf course operators are encouraged to participate in the 2023 Virginia Pesticide Collection Program. The program collects unwanted, outdated or banned pesticides, at no cost to eligible participants, and disposes of them in a safe manner.
The Virginia Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services (VDACS) Office of Pesticide Services, with participation from Virginia Cooperative Extension and the Division of Consolidated Laboratory Services, oversee the program, which has collected and destroyed more than 1.5 million pounds of outdated and unwanted pesticides since its inception. The program is funded through pesticide product registration fees collected by VDACS.
The following is a list of the 2023 collection sites and schedule. All locations are open from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m.
Sept. 26 – Lynchburg Livestock Market, 243 Livestock Rd., Rustburg, Va.
Sept. 27 – Southern States-Farmers Cooperative, 182 Smi Way, Farmville, Va.
Sept. 28 – Meherrin Ag & Chemical, 1409 Vincent Store Rd., Charlotte Court House, Va.
Oct. 3 – Nutrien Ag (Fertilizer Warehouse), 204 South Lunenburg Ave., South Hill, Va.
Oct. 4 – Halifax County Agriculture Marketing Center, 1001 Farmway Ln., Scottsburg, Va.
Oct. 5 – Piedmont Farmers Cooperative (Formerly known as Southern States Chatham
Co-op), 485 Tightsqueeze Industrial Rd., Chatham, Va.
Oct. 11 – National Guard Armory, 315 Commonwealth Blvd. W., Martinsville, Va.
In administering the Pesticide Collection Program, VDACS divides Virginia into five regions. Each year, the department conducts a collection in a different region. Once all five regions have been served, the program starts another cycle. Click here for the list of future collection localities.
Participants must transport their unwanted pesticides to the collection sites. If participants cannot safely containerize the unwanted pesticides for transport, VDACS may arrange assistance on a case-by-case basis. Only pesticides will be accepted. Pesticide contaminated material (for example, pesticide contaminated fertilizer) will not be accepted as part of the collection program. In addition, the program does NOT accept motor oil, paint, fuel, fertilizer or other chemicals.
Participants need to complete a pesticide collection registration form prior to the scheduled collection date and return the completed form to ops.enf@vdacs.virginia.gov or mail to Office of Pesticide Services, VDACS, P.O. Box 1163, Richmond Virginia 23218. The form is available at www.vdacs.virginia.gov/pdf/disposalregistration.pdf or by contacting the program at (804) 371-6560.
Participants should direct questions to their local Virginia Cooperative Extension agent or to the VDACS Office of Pesticide Services at ops.enf@vdacs.virginia.gov.
