Help keep chemicals in check
Put proper pesticide disposal at the top of the to-do list with free collection events
The Missouri Department of Natural Resources is encouraging farmers and homeowners to take advantage of several free collection events for unwanted or unusable pesticides at four locations and dates across the state.
Proper pesticide disposal is one of those inconvenient chores that often takes a backseat to more urgent items in daily workloads. The Missouri Department of Natural Resources is encouraging farmers and homeowners to push that task up the to-do list and take advantage of several free collection events starting in May.
At four locations and dates across the state, Missouri DNR will offer an opportunity for safe disposal of unwanted or unusable pesticides, an umbrella term for agricultural, gardening and household chemicals. Accepted materials include herbicides, insecticides, fungicides, rodenticides, dewormers, fly tags and fertilizer-containing pesticides.
The free drop-off events offer a great opportunity for participants to rid their property of pesticide waste that might otherwise be left abandoned or mishandled, which could lead to environmental contamination or serious exposure for children and pets. At the collection sites, an approved hazardous waste contractor will take these chemicals and send them to a permitted hazardous waste incineration facility.
Since 2012, the Missouri Pesticide Collection Program has conducted 80 events and disposed of more than 1 million pounds of waste pesticide from 2,560 participants. In 2026, four collection events are scheduled from March through October. All events run from 8 a.m. until noon.
May 23 – Montgomery City, MFA Agri Services, 226 N. Walker St.
Aug. 29 – Albany, Hundley-Whaley Research Center, 1109 S. Birch St.
Oct. 3 – Houston, MFA Agri Services, 110 Missouri 17
Nov. 7 – Clinton, Farmers Elevator Fertilizer Plant, 1405 NE 52 Highway
Keep all pesticides in original containers and identify those not in original containers or with missing labels. Do not mix with other materials, and make sure lids are tightly sealed. If the container is leaking, place it in a larger container with a nonflammable absorbent. Secure pesticides upright in a cardboard box and transport in the back of a truck, trailer or car trunk. Keep flammables out of direct sunlight and heat. A contractor will unload the pesticides for you at the collection event.
For more information, call 573-751-0616 or visit online at dnr.mo.gov/env/hwp/pesticide.