Deer, Howard M.

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DigitalCommons@USU

PesticidesFact SheetPESTICIDE AND PESTICIDECONTAINER DISPOSAL Howard M. Deer, Extension Pesticide Specialist Utah State University, Logan UT 84322-4620December 1999 AG/Pesticides/03 When pesticides are used, there is usually a need for disposal of either excess pesticidesor the empty pesticide containers.  Careful preplanning and anticipation can reduce disposalproblems.Ways to reduce the amounts of pesticides or pesticide containers that must be disposedinclude:1. Purchase only the amount of pesticide needed to accomplish the intended pest controlpractice or to be sufficient for the season’s use.2. After getting the needed information, calculate how much pesticide will be needed totreat the intended site. Mix only that amount and apply with properly calibratedequipment. Be careful during mixing and loading procedures so there is no spillage.3. Minimize residues and rinsates including:a. Spray material left after an application job is completed.b. Solution that is left in the sprayer boom and hoses.c. Water used to rinse the sprayer tank.d. Water used to wash the outside of the spray equipment.All residues and rinsates should be collected and used according to their labeledapplication method or they should be used to mix similar solutions of the pesticide.  Tomake solution collection simple, some applicators mix and load solutions, rinse sprayertanks, and wash off equipment on a concrete pad equipped with a tank to collect therunoff.  Others do most of their rinsing in the field by equipping the sprayer with a flushtank of clean water so they can rinse the spraying system with water from the flush tankand leave this rinsate right in the field.  Many pesticide labels now permit disposal ofwastes generated by the use of the product on the site of application.  Filtering throughactivated charcoal is another option for handling excess liquids.4. Use water soluble pesticide packaging that eliminates container disposal.5. Protect pesticides from damage and contamination so they remain useful products andhave legible labels.Store pesticides in a cool location out of the sun such as a locked cabinet or room.They should be kept in their original containers and out of reach of children or animals.Sunlight, moisture, and excessive heat or cold can destroy the effectiveness of a pesticide. Use up pesticides before their shelf life is exceeded and they are no longer effective fortheir intended purpose. Use older products first.  Additional information on storage andshelf life is available in “PESTICIDES NO. 4, PESTICIDE STORAGE FACILITYDESIGN AND MANAGEMENT PLAN.”DISPOSING OF EXCESS PESTICIDESEven planning ahead doesn't eliminate the need for pesticide disposal. Disposal methodsavailable include:1. Use the pesticide according to label directions as a means of disposal for the pesticide. This practice will not always be feasible, especially when the label limits the frequency ofapplication to a site.  If you can’t use up the pesticide, consider giving it to anotherpesticide applicator to use according to label directions.  If the pesticide is a restricted usepesticide, give it only to a licensed applicator.2. Pesticides can be disposed of in EPA approved facilities. Help in utilizing thesefacilities can be obtained from the Utah Department of Environmental Quality, Divisionof Solid and Hazardous Waste (801) 538-6170; or the Utah Department of Agricultureand Food (UDAF), Division of Plant Industry (801) 538-7123. The UDAF is alsosponsoring a series of pesticide disposal collection days. These regional collectionsrequire advance registration and are available on a limited  basis.  Table 1 lists EPAapproved hazardous waste disposal facilities in this region.  Contact the site beforeshipping or delivering any wastes.Table 1.  EPA Approved Hazardous Waste Facilities                                                                                                                                   Ashland Chemical Company Van Waters and Rogers, Inc.PO Box 160367 PO Box 2369Clearfield, Utah 84016 Salt Lake City, Utah 84110800-293-1295 or (801) 776-5481 800-669-8978 or (801) 328-1112Safety Kleen, Inc. US Ecology8960 North Highway 40 PO Box 95488Lake Point, Utah 84074 South Jordan, Utah 84095(801) 252-2000 800-695-1195 or (801) 253-3450                                                                                                                                3. Incineration of excess pesticides is an alternative, but incineration is very expensiveand often requires a great deal of paper work and positive identification of materials to beburned.4. Any amounts of pesticides needing disposal may be stored under environmentally safeconditions until a more acceptable method or facility for their disposal is available;however, this may involve storage for several years and environmentally safe storage maybe costly and difficult to maintain.DO NOT dispose of pesticides in the following ways:1. DO NOT pour pesticides down the drain or into water.2. DO NOT pour pesticides on the ground.3. DO NOT discard pesticides in desolate areas.4. DO NOT burn excess pesticides.5. DO NOT use pesticides for other than their labeled uses.6. DO NOT sell excess pesticides, unless you are licensed to do so.DISPOSING OF PESTICIDE CONTAINERSThe requirements for proper cleaning of empty pesticide containers are found in the“Storage and Disposal” section of the label. Pesticide containers must be cleaned in some mannerbefore they are disposed. Most commonly this is accomplished by triple rinsing or pressurerinsing of containers with water.  In the case of paper or plastic bags, they should be shakenclean. Properly cleaning pesticide containers also allows pesticide applicators to avoid violatingprovisions of the Resource Conservation and Recovery Act (RCRA). Containers that heldpesticides regulated as hazardous waste (ie. 2,4-D, aldicarb and phorate) are hazardous wasteswhen empty unless they have been properly cleaned. Pesticide containers come in many shapesand sizes and are most commonly made of paper, glass, plastic, or metal.  Proper methods fordisposal of pesticide containers include:1. Paper bags should be thoroughly emptied and either buried on your own property in asafe location away from water and animals or susceptible plants, or they may be added toother solid waste trash for ultimate sanitary landfill disposal.2. Glass, plastic and metal containers should be triple-rinsed (Table 2) and then recycledif possible or either buried or added to other solid waste trash for sanitary land filling.Some metal drum reconditioners will accept properly rinsed containers for reconditioningor recycling. Check the yellow pages of your telephone directory under barrels and drumsor under recycling centers. Make sure that containers are damaged prior to disposal toprevent inappropriate reuse.3. Avoid purchasing pesticides in glass containers. Glass containers are more susceptibleto damage in handling and can create an extra hazard when dropped or broken.4. For large volume users, the rinse and drain routine of the triple rinse procedure can betedious and time consuming, especially during a busy season.  There are jetspray devicesUtah State University Extension and its employees are not responsible for the use, misuse or damagecaused by application or misapplication of the products or information in this publication, and make noendorsement explicitly or implicitly of this publication or information listed herein.Utah State University Extension is an affirmative action/equal employment opportunity employer andeducational organization. We offer our programs to persons regardless of race, color, national origin, sex,religion, age or disability.Issued in furtherance of Cooperative Extension work, Acts of May 8 and June 30, 1914, in cooperationwith the U.S. Department of Agriculture, Robert L. Gilliland, Vice-President and Director, CooperativeExtension Service, Utah State University, Logan, Utah. (EP/DF/02-2000)available that attach to a hose and pierce the bottom of the container.  A 60-second sprayequals triple-rinsing.  Put the rinsates into the spray tank.  Storing unrinsed containerswith plans to rinse them during the off season increases compliance problems.  Containerrinsing is never a welcome job, but rinsing as containers are emptied is the best choice.____________________________________________________________________TABLE 2.  Triple Rinse Procedure1. Empty pesticide container into spray tank and allow container to drain for 30 seconds.2. Add rinse water to container so it is one-fourth full.3. Rinse container thoroughly, pour rinsate into spray tank and drain for 30 seconds.  Dothis procedure three times.4. Recycle or dispose of the triple-rinsed container along with other trash.                                                                                                             __________________________________________________________________DO NOT dispose of pesticide containers in the following ways;1. DO NOT send nontriple-rinsed pesticide containers to sanitary landfills or recyclers.2. DO NOT discard pesticide containers in unapproved locations.3. DO NOT re-use pesticide containers for other purposes.4. DO NOT allow nontriple-rinsed pesticide containers to accumulate.PRECAUTIONARY STATEMENTAll pesticides have both benefits and risks. Benefits can be maximized and risks minimized byreading and following the labeling. Pay close attention to the directions for use and theprecautionary statements. The information on pesticide labels contains both instructions andlimitations. Pesticide labels are legal documents and it is a violation of both federal and statelaws to use a pesticide inconsistent with its labeling. The pesticide applicator is legallyresponsible for proper use. Always read and follow the label.

Pesticide and Pesticide Container Disposal

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Pesticide and Pesticide Container Disposal

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