Spring Clean-Up can include free disposal of farm, home and garden pesticides this year! Tuesday, April 2 is the day to drop off your unwanted pesticides, insecticides, and fungicides at the North Carolina Pesticide Disposal trailer that will be parked at the Acquoni Expo Center / Old Cherokee High School from 10 am – 2pm. The ExpoCenter is located at 1501 Acquoni Road in Cherokee.
EBCI Cooperative Extension Agriculture Program, North Carolina Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services and the EBCI Sanitation Department are working together to offer this free service. This is the first time Pesticide Collection Day has been offered in Cherokee. Similar events are planned for Graham and neighboring Counties, but April 2 from 10am – 2pm is the only time this service will be available in Cherokee this year.
Because pesticides are hazardous, it is important to handle them carefully and avoid spills that could occur during transport. Do not carry pesticides in the passenger compartment of a vehicle. The vapors can be poisonous and make the driver and passengers ill. It is recommended that you transport the pesticides securely in the trunk of a car or in the bed of a pick-up truck. When transporting pesticides take extra care to secure and brace them so they do not shift or fall over.
For the Pesticide Collection Day Event, pesticides must be clearly labeled in their original containers. Unknown products can not be accepted. Staff will be on hand to remove the pesticide containers from your vehicle. Info: Sarah 554-6935.
– Sarah McClellan-Welch, EBCI Cooperative Extension
