Pesticides are important tools farmers utilize to manage pests such as weeds, disease, and insects in their agriculture operations. Unused and unwanted pesticides must be handled with care as they can be potentially hazardous to humans, pets, wildlife, and the environment.

The North Carolina Cooperative Extension, Camden County Center, in cooperation with the North Carolina Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services Pesticide Disposal Assistance Program organized a pesticide collection day on July 20, 2021, for farmers and residents in Camden County and the surrounding area. This event afforded an opportunity to dispose of pesticides free of charge, in an environmentally responsible and legal manner.

The event was a huge success with a total of 291 containers weighing in at 4,115 pounds of unwanted pesticide collected and processed. This effort saved participants an average of $7 per pound for a total savings of $28,805. Furthermore, the benefits from safeguarding the environment are incalculable. A special thank you to the South Camden Fire Department Station 12 for the use of their parking lot to conduct this event.