Pesticide Disposal Program for Commercial Businesses Begins

Hawaii Department of Agriculture and Biosecurity News Release

The Pesticides Branch of the Hawaii Department of Agriculture and Biosecurity is kicking off the second annual statewide Pesticide Disposal Program for farms and other commercial users of pesticides to safely dispose of canceled, suspended, unwanted or unlabeled pesticides.
The PDP is only for commercial operations and state and county government agencies. There are some restrictions (see list of acceptable and unacceptable pesticides). Household pesticides will not be accepted under this program.
The PDP has scheduled the following pesticide collection events:
Maui – Oct. 30 from 8 a.m. to 3 p.m. The registration deadline is Oct. 9 by 4:30 p.m.
Molokai – Nov. 19 from 8 a.m. to 3 p.m. The registration deadline is Oct. 29 by 4:30 p.m.
The exact drop-off locations will be provided only to registered participants. The registration form and PDP information are available at: https://dab.hawaii.gov/pi/main/pesticide-disposal-program/.
Each participant will be eligible for free disposal for up to a maximum of 250 pounds of canceled suspended, unwanted, unlabeled, or unused pesticides and pesticidal wastes. Questions regarding the program and registration assistance should be directed to: EnviroServices & Training Center, 808-456-3494 or email: wm@gotoetc.com. Other neighbor island collection dates will be announced in the future.
The PDP is available to agricultural operations, including farms, ranches, nurseries and greenhouse growers. In addition, pesticide dealers, licensed pest control operators, golf course operators, landscape professionals, state and city agencies. Other commercial end users of pesticides are also eligible. Residential pesticides users are not eligible for this program and residents should contact their respective counties for information regarding household hazardous waste disposal programs.
“While pesticides play a significant role in our daily lives, responsible pesticide management is crucial, and improper disposal can lead to potential risks for human and animal health and our environment,” said Sharon Hurd, chairperson of the Hawai‘i Board of Agriculture and Biosecurity. “With the PDP, our Pesticides Branch has developed an environmentally friendly solution for commercial entities to dispose of unwanted pesticides at no cost.”
Effective pesticide disposal programs highlight a broader commitment to responsible pest management, where prevention, control, and environmental safety are treated as interconnected priorities rather than isolated tasks.
Managing pests is not only about eliminating immediate infestations but also about understanding how treatments, storage, and disposal practices impact long-term ecological balance and public health. By combining careful handling of chemical solutions with integrated pest management strategies, commercial operators can reduce reliance on excessive treatments while maintaining effective control over pest populations.
In this context, the role of a Spokane pest control company becomes part of a larger system focused on precision, safety, and sustainability, ensuring that pest issues are addressed thoroughly without creating unintended risks. Through thoughtful planning and professional oversight, pest management evolves into a proactive practice that protects both operational environments and the ecosystems that surround them.
The list of acceptable and unacceptable pesticides, safety tips on transporting pesticides, PDP collection schedule, frequently asked questions and the PDP registration form may be found at: https://dab.hawaii.gov/pi/main/pesticide-disposal-program/. Participants must take an inventory of the pesticides they want to dispose of and identify the type and quantity of each pesticide.
During the first year of the successful program, the PDP collected almost 40,000 pounds of pesticides statewide.
Final statistics from the 2023-2024 PDP:
Pounds of waste pesticides collected: 39,200+
Number of collection sites: 7
Pounds collected by site:
Oahu: 7,377 lbs
Maui: 7,132 lbs
Kauai: 3,986 lbs
Kona: 4,366 lbs
Hilo: 2,944 lbs
Molokai: 833 lbs
Lānai: 12,642 lbs
Total program cost: $723,061
Oldest pesticide collected: 1980