PLEASE NOTE: These bulletins, published since 1997, are historical. The content is not updated.
A pesticide (pest - nuisance, cide - kill) is any substance or mixture of substances intended to prevent, destroy, repel, attract, or mitigate any pest. Pesticides are used to control, destroy or repel pests such as weeds, insects, rodents, birds, fungi, germs, or other organisms that are annoying, unsightly, harmful to health, or cause loss or damage. When used carefully and properly, they provide many benefits: improve our surroundings, improve our food supply, and protect our health. Unfortunately, pesticides are not always used correctly, which can cause serious environmental and human health consequences.
This bulletin relates information about pesticides and King County (& others) pesticide outreach efforts.
Recent pesticide stories from King County and surrounding areas:
King County collection brings in 11 tons of pesticides from local businesses
In the first-ever commercial pesticide collection in King County, 22,000 pounds of hazardous materials from 75 local businesses and organizations were collected for proper disposal.
Participants took advantage of the May 26 (1999) event to dispose of their unusable pesticides-hassle free. Sponsored by the Washington State Department of Agriculture and the Local Hazardous Waste Management Program, the event amassed over 360 different kinds of pesticides and chemicals at one drop-off site in Bellevue.
Large quantities of 2,4-D, DDT and diazinon topped the list of highly toxic pesticides collected at the event. The tonnage surprised even the WSDA. The 22,326 pounds of chemicals dropped off at the King County event exceeded the volume collected at many other events, including those in Prosser, Walla Walla and Yakima.
Representatives of the WSDA believe that the volume of pesticides collected reaffirms the need to hold another King County collection in the future. Typically, the program serves more rural areas of Washington.
These government-sponsored collections have been critical in helping Washington State business owners address and alleviate problems related to unusable pesticides. Through collection and proper disposal, the events reduce environmental threats associated with long-term storage. Pesticides collected are sent to a hazardous waste incinerator in Arkansas.
Many of the substances collected, such as DDT and parathion, have been banned since the early 1970s and have been sitting in sheds and warehouses, or even outdoors. Some are stored in breakable glass bottles, while others are in faulty or substandard containers that deteriorate over time.
Leaking containers or improper disposal of these chemicals would result not only in serious environmental and human health consequences, but would require difficult and expensive cleanup of contaminated soil and groundwater.
In addition to collecting old pesticides from business owners, the WSDA and King County also helped businesses that inherited "mystery containers" from former owners to identify the unknown substances and safely pack them for transport to the site.
As a further incentive and service to participants, the WSDA assumed full accountability for the pesticides' proper disposal (in most cases, owners of hazardous materials are responsible forever for the cost of any disposal or environmental cleanup should an accident or leak occur).
On collection days, appointments scheduled in advance allow businesses to quickly and easily drive in, drop off their chemicals, and drive out chemical free.
The next collection in this area is scheduled for September 2 in Puyallup. For more information on the WSDA pesticide collections, please call (360) 902-2056 or e-mail wastepesticide@agr.wa.gov.
Written by Kelly Kipkalov, Pacific Rim Resources
Originally published in Flashpoint (July, 1999), a newsletter by Local Hazardous Waste Management Program, King County
Reprinted with permission.
Pesticides Detected in Urban Streams During Rainstorms and Relations to Retail Sales of Pesticides in King County, Washington
A report by the U.S. Geological Survey published in April, 1999 (Fact Sheet 097-99) concludes that pesticide use by homeowners is responsible for levels of pesticides in King County streams that exceed EPA and other guidelines and are a danger to fish and wildlife.
Tri-County Integrated Pest & Vegetative Management Policy
King, Snohomish and Pierce Counties (Western Washington) are drafting a policy to provide guidance for pest control and vegetation management by local governments to protect water quality and fish habitat and minimize the release of hazardous chemicals into the environment. This policy will address general procedures and include specific guidelines to address unique details of waterways and buffers, road right-of-ways, developed landscapes, lawns, natural areas, and noxious weeds.
Contacts:
Environmental certification process for landscapers--Washington Association of Landscape Professionals (WALP)
A new pilot project of the City of Seattle, King County and the Washington Association of Landscape Professionals (WALP) has established an environmental certification program for landscapers. The goal of certification is to provide landscapers with the knowledge they need in order to offer environmentally friendly services to clients. In return, the County and City will promote the certified landscapers in various publications.
Contact:
- Washington Association of Landscape Professionals (WALP)
- Phone: (425)644-7642
- King County Hazardous Waste Management Program
- Phone: (206) 263-3051
- Flashpoint (monthly newsletter)
- Read more about the program in our past EP bulletin
Washington Pesticide Information (WSU)
Special thanks to Annette Frahm, King County Hazardous Waste Program for contributing to this bulletin.
Environmental Purchasing Program
The King County Environmental Purchasing Program assists County agencies in implementation of King County Executive Policy CON-7-1-2, which requires agencies to use recycled and other environmentally preferable products wherever practicable.
The program assembles information about these products and makes it available to specific agency users who can evaluate them and develop applications in County projects.
These procurement bulletins contain information about the results of product evaluations and other accomplishments of County agencies. We hope this information will help you find ways to use recycled materials in the work of your agency and that you will contact us if we can help you with further information or if you have suggestions.
- Environmental Purchasing Program
- King County Procurement & Contract Services
Published: July 20, 1999
Return to Environmental Purchasing Menu | Bulletin List
Updated: July 21, 1999
King County
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