The Hawai‘i Department of Agriculture and Biosecurity (DAB) has announced the launch of its second annual Statewide Pesticide Disposal Program (PDP), which allows farms and other commercial pesticide users to safely dispose of canceled, suspended, unwanted or unlabeled pesticides. The program is open only to commercial operations as well as state and county government agencies, with household pesticides excluded from participation.
Scheduled collection events will take place on Maui on October 30, 2025, and Moloka‘i on November 19, 2025. Registration deadlines are October 9 for Maui and October 29 for Moloka‘i. Registered participants will receive details about drop-off locations. Information on the registration process and acceptable pesticides can be found at https://dab.hawaii.gov/pi/main/pesticide-disposal-program/.
Each participant in the PDP may dispose of up to 250 pounds of eligible pesticides at no cost. Questions about the program or assistance with registration can be directed to EnviroServices & Training Center by phone or email.
The program is available to a range of commercial users, including farms, ranches, nurseries, greenhouse growers, pesticide dealers, licensed pest control operators, golf course operators, landscape professionals, and state and city agencies. Residential users are not eligible; they are advised to contact their county for information about 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.”
Participants must inventory the pesticides they wish to dispose of by type and quantity before registering.
During its first year in operation, the PDP collected more than 39,000 pounds of pesticides across seven sites statewide. O‘ahu collected 7,377 pounds; Maui collected 7,132 pounds; Kaua‘i collected 3,986 pounds; Kona collected 4,366 pounds; Hilo collected 2,944 pounds; Moloka‘i collected 833 pounds; Lāna‘i collected 12,642 pounds. The total program cost was $723,061. The oldest pesticide turned in dated back to 1980.
Further details regarding acceptable materials and safety guidelines are available on the DAB website.
