How to dispose of pesticides and garden chemicals
Leftover bug spray, weed killer, rat and mouse poison, fungicides and pool chemicals should never go down a drain or onto the ground. The EPA says the best way to get rid of a small amount is to use it up as the label directs or give it to someone who can. Otherwise, take it to a household hazardous waste program. Here is what counts, how to store and pack it, where to take it, and the rules in each state we cover.
- Leftover pesticides and weed killers
- Use them up as the label directs, or give them to someone who can. Otherwise take them to a household hazardous waste program.
- Rat and mouse poison
- These are pesticides too. Keep them locked away from children and pets, and take leftovers to a household hazardous waste program.
- Pool chemicals
- Keep each in its original container, dry and apart from the others. Take unwanted ones to a household hazardous waste program that lists them.
- Empty containers
- Never reuse them. Empty home pesticide containers can usually go in the trash or recycling; do not puncture or burn aerosol cans.
- Farms and businesses
- Use your state’s pesticide collection (often called Clean Sweep), not a household program.
- Never
- Pour them down a sink, toilet or storm drain, or mix products together.
What counts
Under federal law a pesticide is any product meant to prevent, destroy, repel or reduce a pest, which covers insect killers, weed killers, fungicides and rodent poisons. Many household hazardous waste programs take pool chemicals and fertilizers along with them.
| Product | Examples | What to do |
|---|---|---|
| Insecticides and bug sprays | Ant, roach and wasp sprays, insect baits, garden insect dusts | Use up as the label directs or give to someone who can. Otherwise a household hazardous waste program. |
| Weed killers (herbicides) | Liquid and granular weed and brush killers | Same as insecticides. Never pour leftovers on the ground or down a drain. |
| Fungicides | Lawn, rose and garden disease controls | Same as insecticides. |
| Rat and mouse poison (rodenticides) | Bait blocks, pellets and bait stations | These are pesticides too. Keep them away from children and pets, and take leftovers to a household hazardous waste program. |
| Weed-and-feed lawn products | Fertilizer mixed with weed killer or insect control | The EPA counts fertilizer and herbicide combinations sold for home use as pesticides. Handle leftovers the same way. |
| Pool and spa chemicals | Chlorine tablets and shock, pool acid, algaecides | Keep each in its own original container, dry and apart from the others. A household hazardous waste program that lists them, or ask the manufacturer. |
| Empty containers | Empty jugs, spray bottles and aerosol cans | Never reuse them. The EPA’s label wording for home products says empty containers can go in the trash or recycling; do not puncture or burn aerosol cans. |
Based on the EPA definition of a pesticide, EPA disposal advice, EPA label disposal wording for home products and CDC pool chemical safety. Your state or town may be stricter: see By state.
Before you go
- Keep each product in its original container with the label on. The EPA says the label lists the ingredients and first aid steps. If something is not in its original container, New Jersey’s pesticide program says to label it with the product name, the date and the word DANGER.
- Never mix products, including pool chemicals. The EPA warns that mixed household chemicals can react, catch fire or explode.
- If a container is rusting, leaking or breakable, set it inside a larger plastic container packed with clay kitty litter.
- Keep products locked away from children and pets and away from food until you drop them off. The EPA notes that child-resistant packaging is not child-proof.
- Carry containers upright and wedged in place so they cannot tip or leak on the way.
- Call the program first: hours, limits and fees differ, and California’s toxics agency notes that many household hazardous waste facilities require an appointment.
Where to take it
- Household hazardous waste programs: 315 programs we list in California, Delaware, Florida, Georgia, Illinois, Indiana, Maryland, New Jersey, New York, Ohio, Pennsylvania and Texas accept pesticides, and 252 accept pool chemicals. Each listing quotes what it takes.
- State pesticide collections (Clean Sweep): most serve farms, licensed applicators and businesses, not households. Indiana’s lists the public among those eligible, and Georgia’s Clean Day events are open to the public when funded. See Indiana and Georgia.
- The dealer or manufacturer: Ohio’s Department of Agriculture says some unused, sealed or recalled pesticides can go back to the dealer or manufacturer, and the CDC says to ask the manufacturer how to get rid of pool chemicals.
- The trash: only where your state allows it, and only as the label directs. California bans it; other states set conditions. See By state.
By state
| State | State pesticide collection is for | Rules in brief |
|---|---|---|
| California | Not covered yet | Pesticides, herbicides and some pool chemicals are banned from the trash, drains and the ground. 62 California programs we list take pesticides. |
| Delaware | Farms and businesses | DSWA takes pesticides and pool chemicals free from residents every week at four sites. 5 Delaware programs we list take pesticides. |
| Florida | Farms and businesses | Every county runs a household hazardous waste program; the state does not regulate hazardous waste made in the home. 59 Florida programs we list take pesticides. |
| Georgia | Farms, applicators and the public (none scheduled) | Household hazardous waste may go in the trash as solids only, never liquids; reusing or burning pesticide containers is illegal. 6 Georgia programs we list take pesticides. |
| Illinois | Farms and structural pest control (rotating counties) | Household pesticides may legally go in the garbage, but Illinois EPA’s free collections are more protective. 7 Illinois programs we list take pesticides. |
| Indiana | Farms, schools, businesses and the public | Use your county solid waste district’s household hazardous waste program; drains reach water and trash endangers workers. 34 Indiana programs we list take pesticides. |
| Maryland | Farms only (no current dates) | Household hazardous waste may legally go in the trash, but MDE recommends county collections. 9 Maryland programs we list take pesticides. |
| New Jersey | Container recycling for licensed applicators | Take leftover pesticides to a county household hazardous waste collection; empty home and garden containers may go in the trash or recycling. 10 New Jersey programs we list take pesticides. |
| New York | Farms, applicators and schools | Household hazardous waste is exempt from hazardous waste rules, but DEC directs it to collection events and permitted sites. 13 New York programs we list take pesticides. |
| Ohio | Farms only | County solid waste districts run household collection; Ohio EPA warns that trash and drains pollute water. 13 Ohio programs we list take pesticides. |
| Pennsylvania | Farms and licensed applicators (select counties) | Use a collection program; trash is allowed only when none is available in time, after liquids are dried or soaked up. 8 Pennsylvania programs we list take pesticides. |
| Texas | Farms | Household pesticides are not required to be handled as hazardous waste and can often go in the trash, but collection is more protective. 89 Texas programs we list take pesticides. |
| All other states | Varies | State Clean Sweep programs and local household hazardous waste programs (state pages coming) |
The middle column is who the state’s own pesticide collection serves, as of the date we checked; it is not a household drop-off. Counts are household hazardous waste programs on this site whose official accepted-items list includes pesticides. Each state’s page has its full rules, where to take them and official sources.
What the sites we list say about pesticides
Quoted from each site’s official accepted-items list.
| Site | Pesticide and garden chemical rules (official wording) |
|---|---|
| Alameda County Household Hazardous Waste Facility - Oakland Alameda County, CA | Accepted: garden and pest chemicals (pesticides, herbicides, fertilizers, pool chemicals) |
| South Bay Household Hazardous Waste Collection Facility (Chula Vista Public Works Center) San Diego County, CA | Accepted: pesticides Accepted: fertilizers Accepted: pool chemicals |
| DSWA Household Hazardous Waste Collection (Delaware Recycling Center) New Castle County, DE | Accepted: fungicides Accepted: herbicides Accepted: pesticides Accepted: pool chemicals |
| DSWA Household Hazardous Waste Collection (Jones Crossroads Landfill) Sussex County, DE | Accepted: fungicides Accepted: herbicides Accepted: pesticides Accepted: pool chemicals |
| Brevard County household hazardous waste Collection Center - Central Disposal Facility Brevard County, FL | Accepted: fertilizers Accepted: fungicides Accepted: herbicides Accepted: insecticides Accepted: pesticides Accepted: rat poison |
| Alachua County Hazardous Waste Collection Center (HWCC) Alachua County, FL | Accepted: poisons and pesticides Accepted: pool chemicals Accepted: insecticides Accepted: fertilizers |
| Dalton-Whitfield Household Hazardous Waste Facility Whitfield County, GA | Accepted: Pesticides Accepted: weed killer Accepted: insecticides Accepted: pool chemicals |
| Chicago Household Chemicals & Computer Recycling Facility Cook County, IL | Accepted: herbicides Accepted: pesticides Accepted: insecticides Accepted: lawn chemicals Accepted: pool chemicals |
| SWALCO Household Chemical Waste Drop-off (Gurnee) Lake County, IL | Accepted: fertilizers Accepted: herbicides Accepted: pesticides Accepted: insecticides Accepted: pool chemicals |
| Lawrence County Recycling Center Household Hazardous Waste Facility Lawrence County, IN | Accepted: pesticides Accepted: fungicides Accepted: herbicides Accepted: insecticides Accepted: rodenticides Accepted: pool chemicals |
| Dearborn County Recycling Center Household Hazardous Waste Drop-off Dearborn County, IN | Accepted: Fertilizers Accepted: pesticides Accepted: herbicides Accepted: rodent poisons Accepted: pool chemicals |
| Shady Grove Transfer Station Household Hazardous Waste Drop-off Montgomery County, MD | Accepted: fertilizers Accepted: herbicides Accepted: insecticides Accepted: pesticides Accepted: pool chemicals |
| Alpha Ridge Landfill Household Hazardous Waste Collection Howard County, MD | Accepted: insecticides Accepted: pesticides Accepted: herbicides Accepted: fungicides Accepted: pool chemicals |
| Burlington County Household Hazardous Waste Facility (Resource Recovery Complex) Burlington County, NJ | Accepted: toxics (rust remover, paint remover, pool chemicals, weed killer) Accepted: pesticides, insecticides and herbicides |
| MCMUA Permanent Household Hazardous Waste Facility (Mt. Olive Transfer Station) Morris County, NJ | Accepted: pesticides, herbicides and fertilizers Accepted: pool chemicals and chlorine |
| Erie County Household Hazardous Waste Voucher Program (Hazman, Tonawanda) Erie County, NY | Accepted: pesticides and herbicides Accepted: fertilizers Accepted: pool chemicals |
| Broome County Household Hazardous Waste Facility (Broome County Landfill) Broome County, NY | Accepted: pesticides and fertilizers |
| SWACO Household Hazardous Waste Drop-off (Environmental Enterprises) Franklin County, OH | Accepted: pool chemicals Accepted: lawn chemicals Accepted: pesticides |
| Clark County Specialty Recycling Center Clark County, OH | Accepted: bug sprays Accepted: fungicides Accepted: herbicides Accepted: insecticides Accepted: rat poison Accepted: weed killer |
| Pittsburgh Household Hazardous Waste and Electronics Drop-off (Noble Environmental, Lawrenceville) Allegheny County, PA | Accepted: insecticides Accepted: pesticides Accepted: weed killer Accepted: pool chemicals |
| LCSWMA Household Hazardous Waste Facility Lancaster County, PA | Accepted: lawn treatments, herbicides and pesticides |
| Austin Recycle and Reuse Drop-off Center Travis County, TX | Accepted: pesticides and herbicides Accepted: pool chemicals |
| Harris County Household Hazardous Waste Facility Harris County, TX | Accepted: yard products (fertilizers, pesticides, insecticides) Accepted: pool chemicals Limit: Containers 5 gallons or less (some pool chemicals 6-7 gal) |
FAQ
Can I throw pesticides in the trash?
It depends on your state. California makes it illegal to put pesticides, herbicides and some pool chemicals in the trash. Texas says household pesticides are not required to be handled as hazardous waste and can often go in the regular trash. Maryland and Illinois say household hazardous waste may legally go in the trash but recommend collection programs. Pennsylvania allows it only when there is no collection program or event in time, after liquids are dried or soaked up and packed to prevent leaks. Georgia allows only solids, not liquids. Ohio EPA warns that throwing pesticides in the trash can pollute lakes, streams and drinking water. Whatever your state, follow the label’s disposal directions.
Can I pour leftover weed killer or bug spray down the drain?
No. The EPA says never to pour pesticides down a sink, toilet, sewer or street drain. Many drinking water and wastewater treatment systems cannot remove all pesticides, and pesticides that reach waterways can harm fish, plants and other living things.
What do I do with empty pesticide containers?
Do not reuse them. The EPA’s disposal wording for home pesticide products says an empty container can go in the trash or be recycled where that is available, and a partly full one needs instructions from your local solid waste agency. Do not puncture or burn aerosol cans. Georgia law bans reusing or burning pesticide containers, and Texas bans open burning of them.
How do I get rid of old pool chemicals?
Take them to a household hazardous waste program that lists pool chemicals; 252 programs we list do. The CDC says to contact the product’s manufacturer or your local or state hazardous materials group for disposal steps. Until then, keep each chemical in its original labeled container, separate from the others, dry and below 95°F. California bans some pool chemicals from the trash.
Is weed-and-feed a pesticide?
Yes, when it contains a weed killer or insect control. The EPA’s disposal guidance for home pesticide products covers fertilizer and herbicide combinations. Many household hazardous waste programs also take plain fertilizer; check the listing.
Can a farm or business use a household hazardous waste program?
Generally no. The EPA says farmers and commercial pesticide users generally cannot use household hazardous waste programs, and many states run pesticide collections for them, often called Clean Sweep programs. Illinois EPA’s one-day collections, for example, do not take agricultural chemicals or business waste. Each state’s page names its program.
Can homeowners use a state Clean Sweep program?
Usually not. Of the states we cover, the New York, Pennsylvania, Delaware, Maryland and Ohio programs say they do not serve households, and the Texas, Florida and Illinois programs serve farms or businesses. Indiana’s Clean Sweep lists the public among those eligible, and Georgia’s Clean Day events are open to the general public when they are funded. Check the dates on your state’s page.
Is it free to drop off pesticides?
Often. Household hazardous waste collections funded by Illinois EPA are free to the public, and Delaware residents can drop off household hazardous waste free. The state Clean Sweep programs we checked are free for those eligible; Indiana’s charges $3.00 a pound above 250 pounds. Check each listing for fees.