Safe, Healthy Pest Management for Religious Institutions

The same concerns that inform your approach to other toxics holds true for pesticides and herbicides--the health and safety of employees and, especially, children, and the degradation of the environment through run-off and improper disposal.

The good news is that the same demonstrated success of the approaches to other toxics holds true here: document what you're doing now (baseline); raise the consciousness of your organization to alternative approaches; create a culture of sustained implementation; and publicize your success, both within and without your organization.

Here, success is obtainable through what is known as IPM, or "integrated pest management" program, which acknowledges that while sometimes the use of pesticides is warranted, most often pests can be eliminated through new approaches to interior cleaning and maintaining your exterior environment (such as outlined in our section above on organic lawncare), as well as the use of natural means of reducing unwanted pests.

GreenFaith would be delighted to send you sample policies, newsletter articles, etc. regarding IPM.

Your IPM Policy: The 6 Key Ingredients

Define

• Create an enforceable list of pesticides that are acceptable for use
• List the products that will replace toxic chemicals

Educate

• Train the IPM coordinator and facilities personnel about the new guidelines
• Provide an educational forum on IPM and the purpose and content of the policy

Implement

• Properly apply new products
• Begin new cleaning/prevention strategies

Evaluate

• Assess if the products are working effectively
• Make changes accordingly

Communicate and Record

• Notify: 72 hour prior notification if pesticides are used, via signs/ letters
• Explain: Provide handouts/newsletter articles with health and toxicity information on pesticides used
• Maintain Awareness: Publicize your IPM policy annually
• Record: Keep data on pesticide uses – what was used, how much, when

Celebrate

• Communicate your successes to your members and community
• Publicize in local media to lead others by example
• Welcome visitors to your institution to showcase your success
  

How to Dispose of your Current Pesticide Supply Safely

Here are the EPA's guidelines:

• If the container is partly filled, contact your local solid waste agency. If the container is completely empty, throw it in the trash.
• To identify your local solid waste agency, look in the government section of your phone book under categories such as solid waste , public works , or garbage , trash , or refuse collection or call 1-800-CLEANUP.
• Do not pour leftover pesticides down the sink, into the toilet, or down a sewer or street drain. Pesticides may interfere with the operation of wastewater treatment systems and pollute waterways. Many municipal systems are not equipped to remove pesticide residues.

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Upcoming Events:
 
Meeting the Sacred in Creation Retreats Offered in Hudson Valley, Pacific Northwest, Southeast in April, May, October 2007.
 
New Brunswick Environmental Health and Justice Tour, April 18, 2007.
 
Prof. Larry Rasmussen to Keynote April 23, 2007 Interfaith Environmental Conference with Drew Theological School.