The Hawai‘i Department of Agriculture and Biosecurity is continuing its statewide Pesticide Disposal Program (PDP) for commercial businesses on Hawai‘i Island. The initiative, now in its second year, allows farms and other commercial users to safely dispose of pesticides that are canceled, suspended, unwanted, or unlabeled. The program is available only to commercial operations and government agencies, not residential users.
Pesticide collection events are scheduled for Hilo on December 12, 2025, and Kona on December 16, 2025. Both events will run from 8:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m., with registration deadlines set for November 21 and November 25, respectively. Exact drop-off locations will be provided to those who register. Registration forms and more information are available at the Department of Agriculture and Biosecurity’s website at https://dab.hawaii.gov/pi/main/pesticide-disposal-program/.
Each participant can dispose of up to 250 pounds of qualifying pesticide waste for free. The program is open to agricultural operations such as farms, ranches, nurseries, greenhouse growers, pesticide dealers, licensed pest control operators, golf course operators, landscape professionals, and state and city agencies. Residents who wish to dispose of household pesticides are directed to contact their counties for local hazardous waste disposal options.
“While pesticides play a significant role in our daily lives, responsible pesticide management is crucial. 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.”
During its first year, the program collected over 39,200 pounds of pesticide waste across seven sites statewide. The breakdown by site included O‘ahu (7,377 lbs), Maui (7,132 lbs), Kaua‘i (3,986 lbs), Kona (4,366 lbs), Hilo (2,944 lbs), Moloka‘i (833 lbs), and Lāna‘i (12,642 lbs). The total program cost was $723,061, and the oldest pesticide collected dated back to 1980.
Further details about acceptable and unacceptable pesticides, safety tips for transporting pesticides, collection schedules, and frequently asked questions can be found at https://dab.hawaii.gov/pi/main/pesticide-disposal-program/. Participants are required to inventory the type and quantity of each pesticide they plan to dispose of.
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