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Border Pesticide Collection Events
On August 15 and 17, 2006 in a first for the binational Border 2012 program, EPA and the states of Arizona and neighboring Sonora, Mexico collected more than 40,000 pounds of old, unused pesticides from farms and ranches in the Yuma and San Luis area for safe disposal at an approved hazardous waste incinerator in the U.S.
The two collection events reduced the possibility that any of the recovered pesticides might be released into the environment by accident, continued use of cancelled products or improper disposal. Pesticide releases can poison groundwater used as drinking water and surface waters, like ponds and streams, posing a potential risk to people, livestock, fish, and wildlife. Pesticides should be disposed of properly to avoid environmental contamination.
EPA and Mexican officials anticipate that the success of this pilot project will lead to binational cooperation in similar collection events in the U.S.-Mexico Border region.
