CORTLAND – Jackson County residents, farmers, and business owners have an opportunity to safely dispose of unused or expired agricultural chemicals and household pesticides this Thursday, August 20, 2026.
The Office of the Indiana State Chemist (OISC) is hosting a free “Clean Sweep” pesticide collection event from 9:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m. at Premier Ag, located at 6788 N. Base Road in Cortland.
The annual program is open to a wide range of participants, including farmers, schools, nurseries, golf courses, local units of government, and private homeowners looking to clear out unwanted chemicals safely.
Disposal Limits and Accepted Materials
Participants may drop off up to 250 pounds of pesticides free of charge. Accepted materials include:
- Weed killers (herbicides)
- Insecticides
- Rodenticides
- Fungicides
- Miticides
- Other agricultural and homeowner pest control products
Any disposal amounts exceeding 250 pounds will be assessed a nominal fee charged directly by the hazardous waste contractor on site.
Transport Guidelines and Safety Rules
To ensure safe handling and transport, the OISC requires attendees to adhere to the following safety protocols:
- Container Condition: All products must be brought in leak-free, labeled containers that are safe to transport.
- No Mixing: Keep all chemicals in their original containers whenever possible; do not mix different materials together.
- Inventory List: Drivers must bring a written list of the specific products being transported, along with a primary contact phone number.
- Vehicle Safety: Transport containers secured in the back of a pickup truck or trailer rather than inside the passenger compartment of a vehicle.
Registration Information
While limited walk-ins may be accommodated on a space-available basis, participants are strongly encouraged to complete a participant form prior to the event to assist organizers with site logistics and waste volume estimates. Registration forms and additional event details are available on the official OISC website at oisc.purdue.edu.
