Agricultural Producers: Use CHEMSWEEP To Dispose Of Unwanted Pesticides On Your Farm Until March 31

During the winter, it's a great time to think about cleaning out our pesticide storages and take inventory. If you have canceled, suspended, or unwanted pesticides, you can schedule disposal through the Pennsylvania Department of Agriculture CHEMSWEEP Program.

In 2025, agricultural producers in these counties are eligible: Bedford, Berks, Bradford, Butler, Columbia, Cumberland, Fulton, Lawrence, McKean, Montour, Northumberland, Schuylkill, Sullivan, York, and Warren.

What is CHEMSWEEP?

CHEMSWEEP started in 1993 and collects unwanted or unusable pesticides from Pennsylvania farmers and pesticide applicators. 

The first 2,000 pounds of pesticides per participant is collected and properly disposed of for free. 

Only products that have been registered for sale or use in Pennsylvania are accepted. 

CHEMSWEEP is offered in a selected number of counties each year and runs on a four-year cycle, except for Chester and Lancaster counties, which run on a two-year cycle.

Who is eligible to participate?

Farmers, pesticide applicators, and pesticide businesses in the year's selected counties.

2025: Bedford, Berks, Bradford, Butler, Columbia, Cumberland, Fulton, Lawrence, McKean, Montour, Northumberland, Schuylkill, Sullivan, York, and Warren.

Future collections can be found on the CHEMSWEEP Program webpage.

How can you participate?

First, check to see if your county has been selected to participate this year. 

If your county is participating, go to the CHEMSWEEP Program website and complete the online form.

A PDA inspector will verify your inventory and schedule the pesticide collection with a contractor. The contractor will then be responsible for collecting and disposing of the pesticides according to regulations. 

The contractor and PDA inspector will be present for collection, which typically runs from July to October. 

CHEMSWEEP covers the first 2,000 pounds per participant. If over 2,000 pounds, amounts are paid by the participant directly to the contractor at the price paid by PDA. 

Click Here for the Penn State Extension announcement.

Visit the Department of Agriculture’s CHEMSWEEP Program webpage for more information.

(Reprinted from Penn State Extension’s Field Crop News.  Click Here to sign up for your own copy (bottom of the page).)

[Posted: January 23, 2025]  PA Environment Digest