Residents of Sequoyah County and surrounding areas will have an opportunity to safely dispose of unwanted pesticides during a free collection event scheduled for April 28 at the Sequoyah County Fairgrounds.

The event, part of the Oklahoma Unwanted Pesticide Disposal Program funded by the Oklahoma Department of Agriculture, Food and Forestry, will run from 8 a.m. to 1 p.m. and is open to homeowners, farmers, ranchers, commercial applicators and pesticide dealers across the state.

The program is designed to help Oklahomans safely dispose of pesticides that can no longer be used as intended. These may include leftover chemicals, products no longer registered in Oklahoma, pesticides missing labels, or substances that can no longer be identified.

Officials say the service is free for up to 2,000 pounds per participant, making it a valuable opportunity for both residential and agricultural users to clear out potentially hazardous materials.

For reference, liquid pesticides weigh about 10 pounds per gallon.

Participants are responsible for transporting their pesticides to the collection site. While most individuals do not need to preregister, pesticide dealers are encouraged to voluntarily sign up in advance through the OSU Pesticide Safety Education Program to help organizers prepare for large quantities.

Program coordinators emphasized that the disposal initiative is strictly a service effort focused on environmental safety and public health—not enforcement. Those participating will not be required to provide identifying information about themselves or the materials they bring.

By removing unusable pesticides from storage, the program aims to reduce risks to both people and the environment while promoting responsible chemical management across Oklahoma.

The Sequoyah County Fairgrounds are located at 464101 E. 1070 Road, Sallisaw.

For more information about the program and future collection dates, residents can visit the official program website at https://shorturl. at/gkMOI.