A group of CleanPaks are lined up near the shipping truck at a Clean Sweep event in 2021.

Text and Photos
ByJeff Burbrink
Ag & Natural Resources Extension Educator, Purdue Extension LaGrange County

LAGRANGE — People sometimes end up with pesticides they no longer need or want or that have gone out of condition. Sometimes these products linger for years in the corner of a barn or workshop and become a forgotten potential hazard.

Jeff Burbrink

The good news is, the Indiana State Chemist Office has arranged for an unwanted pesticide disposal day in six locations in Indiana, the nearest to LaGrange County being from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. Aug. 20 at Ag Plus, 5501 S. SR 9, Columbia City.

Before I go much further, I do want to clarify what a pesticide is. Many people think the term “pesticide” refers to products that kill insects. In reality, pesticides include all pests, including insects, weeds, bacteria, fungi, algae, mites, rodents, etc.

The Clean Sweep Pesticide Disposal Program is designed to collect and dispose of suspended, cancelled, banned, unusable, opened, unopened or just unwanted pesticides (herbicides, insecticides, rodenticides, fungicides, miticides, etc.). This disposal service is free of charge up to 250 pounds per participant. Over 250 pounds, there will be a $3 per pound charge. This is a terrific opportunity for you to legally dispose of unwanted products at little or no cost.

This is not just for farmers: All public and private schools, golf courses, park departments, lawn care companies, pest control companies, nurseries, farmers, ag dealers, and government bodies like cities, towns, counties and state agencies often use large quantities of pesticides.

Clean Sweep is not intended for backyard gardener use. The best way for homeowners to dispose of unwanted products is to either use it as stated on the label, give it to someone who will use it, or contact your local Solid Waste Management District to participate in their household hazardous waste program. In northeast Indiana, call (260) 587-3063.

How do you participate? Register at tinyurl.com/2025CleanSweep by Aug. 8. Questions may be directed to Mitch at (765) 494-7142.

The six sites around the state where this program is being held in 2025:

• Aug. 12 — LaPorte County
• Aug. 13 — Vigo County
• Aug. 14 — Decatur County
• Aug. 19 — Clark County
• Aug. 20 — Whitley County
• Aug. 21 — Hendricks County