Environmental Sweep Program
Disposal for Unwanted & Unused Pesticides
The Environmental Sweep Program (ESP) is a new initiative by the Delaware Department of Agriculture that offers to all three counties easy and environmentally responsible disposal of unwanted, outdated, or canceled pesticides for free to qualifying individuals and businesses. The uncertainty of legal requirements and the risk of storage or disposal for these toxic pesticides leave limited available options to alleviate inventories cost-effectively. Farmers, commercial applicators, nurseries, greenhouses, golf courses, and pest control businesses can qualify for the free removal of up to 500 pounds or 50 gallons of pesticides through this program. For convenience and safety, pesticides will be picked up directly from your site by a waste disposal contractor.
Simply fill out an ESP Inventory Form and return it by email, fax, or mail. DDA Pesticide Section staff will review your inventory, perform an on-site verification visit, and contact you regarding your approved quantity status. The selected waste contractor will then directly contact you for a pickup date. Our waste disposal contractor will then contact you directly to schedule a date and time for your on-site removal. Again, this service is free for amounts up to 500 pounds or 50 gallons of product. Quantities above that amount can be removed for a reduced fee as determined by the waste disposal contractor (or for free if residual program funding is available).
Please send your completed ESP inventory form to Jimmy Hughes (via email), (302) 697-4483 (fax), or mail to: DDA Pesticide Section, Attn: Jimmy Hughes, 2320 South DuPont Highway, Dover Delaware 19901.
Any additional questions concerning the program, please contact Jimmy Hughes at (302) 698-4569 or Chris Wade at (302) 698-4570.
Frequently Asked Questions about ESP
Any farmer, commercial applicator, golf course, greenhouse, or nursery that applies or stores pesticides.
No. Residents can utilize disposal programs offered by the Delaware Solid Waste Authority to dispose of pesticides and other hazardous waste.
Any pesticide product that has an EPA Registration Number (or was once registered with an EPA Registration Number). Examples of waste pesticides that will be accepted include: DDT, chlordane, carbaryl, lead arsenate, lindane, dinoseb, calcium cyanide, chloropicrin, and 2, 4-D. Containers with unknown contents may require sampling for analysis prior to disposal approval. Also, please note that this program is not intended for fertilizer, paint, oil, antifreeze, fertilizer and pesticide mixtures, and any other non-pesticide products.
The removal service is free for quantities up to 500 pounds or 50 gallons of pesticides. Quantities above that amount can be removed for a reduced fee as determined by the waste disposal contractor (or for free if residual program funding is available).
Pesticide products that are unlabeled or not in an original container may need to be sampled prior to acceptance.
Yes, list all of your pesticide waste on the inventory form. Amounts that exceed the 500 pounds or 50-gallon limit can still be removed for a reduced cost by the waste disposal contractor and may even be removed for free if the program funding is not yet exhausted.
No. The ESP is designed to remove pesticides at your location for both your convenience and for safety; decreasing the amount of travel for the pesticide waste will decrease the chance of spills and contamination.
Related Topics: Environmental Sweep Program, FAQs, Unwanted Pesticides
