How you can remove unwanted pesticides

Residents in eight northern Illinois counties may dispose of unwanted pesticides for free through the Department of Agriculture's Clean Sweep program.

The agency has announced a collection of pesticides and other chemicals later this summer for residents of Boone, DeKalb, Kane, Lake, Lee, McHenry, Ogle and Winnebago counties.

The program is open to farmers, retired farmers, nursery owners, private pesticide and pest-control applicators and landowners who inherited unwanted chemicals.

Participants must register by July 13.

The Agriculture Department is using a federal grant to fund the program. The state assumes liability for proper disposal.

For info, go to /www.agr.state.il.us/.