South Carolina City Offers Free Pesticide Disposal

Professionals in the Myrtle Beach, S.C., area who have unused, outdated and unwanted pesticides in storage can dispose of them free of charge Oct. 23 as part of a statewide recovery program.

The S.C. Waste Pesticide Recovery program will allow any farmer, forester or nursery owner to dispose of unusable or old pesticides, Horry County Clemson Extension Agent Bruce Johnson said.

But officials won’t accept household cleaners, fertilizer, compressed cylinders or empty containers, Johnson said. The program is not open to residents, only growers and producers.

``This is an excellent opportunity if someone has excess pesticides to dispose of them. Get them out of the storage building and off the farm free of charge,’’ Johnson said.

The collection sites are scheduled throughout the state, but the nearest site for Horry and Georgetown county farmers will be from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. Oct. 23 at the Meherrin Ag Services in Mullins.

Participants are asked to safely bring the items to the collection sites and if special circumstances exist for site pickup they can call Larry Boyleston at 803/734-2191 for assistance or information.