**TECHNICAL NOTES**

**USDA-Natural Resources Conservation Service**

**Boise, Idaho**

##### ***TN - Agronomy No[.]{.smallcaps} 33 October 2006***

**Pesticide and Pesticide Container Handling and Disposal**

*(Summarized from Daniels, C.H., "Pesticide Safety, Toxicity, Worker
Protection", PNW Insect Management Handbook and PNW Weed Management
Handbook, 2006)*

**[Introduction]{.underline}**

Un-rinsed or contaminated "empty" pesticide containers, unless they are
accepted by a pesticide distributor or manufacturer for refilling, are
considered **hazardous waste**. Hazardous waste is more difficult and
more expensive to dispose of. Therefore, to avoid added costs and
potential harm to the environment, it is desirable to clean the
containers. Clean, dry containers are considered solid waste and can be
disposed of in a state-permitted solid waste site. Clean, dry containers
may also be recycled.

Before agricultural pesticide containers can be accepted for disposal or
recycling, they must be thoroughly rinsed of all residues immediately
after use. Only dry, properly rinsed containers are accepted at
collection sites. Properly rinsing and handling empty pesticide
containers is very important because it:

-   Protects humans by removing hazardous materials

-   Prevents sources of environmental contamination

-   Saves money by putting all product into the spray tank

Un-rinsed pesticide containers can still hold enough material to harm
people and the environment.

[**How to Properly Clean Pesticide Containers**]{.underline}

THINK SAFETY! The person cleaning the containers should:

-   Read and understand all safety and environmental precautions on the
    product label

-   Wear eye protection such as goggles or a face shield

-   Wear chemical-resistant gloves that will prevent the pesticide from
    contacting the skin

-   Wear a chemical-resistant apron, gloves and footwear or
    chemical-resistant covers over shoes or boots.

The best way to dispose of rinsate (rinse water used to remove pesticide
residue from a container) is to add it to the spray mixture and apply it
according to the label directions. Rinsate can also be collected to use
later in a spray mix or for disposal. Do not mix different pesticide
rinsates. Label each storage container clearly. [Do not]{.underline}
dump rinsate on the ground or into storm drains.

**Triple/Multiple Rinsing**

[Plastic and Metal Containers (Jugs)]{.underline}

Empty the container's contents into spray tank, turning the container so
that any product trapped in the handle can flow out. Once flow is down
to a drip, drain the container an additional 30 seconds. Immediately
begin rinsing so the product cannot dry or stick to the inside surface.
Fill the empty container one-quarter full of clean water, replace cap
and shake for 30 seconds. Drain rinse water into spray tank as described
above and [repeat this process two more times]{.underline}. Carefully
rinse cap over spray tank opening, and make sure there is no remaining
pesticide on the inside or outside of container. Allow the containers to
dry. Store cleaned jugs and caps out of the rain until they can be
recycled or disposed of as regular solid waste.

[Drums]{.underline}

Empty drum as much as possible and fill one-quarter full with water.
Replace and tighten bungs.\
Tip the drum on its side and roll back and forth, ensuring at least one
complete revolution, for 30 seconds. Stand the drum on its end and tip
back and forth several times to rinse the corners. Turn the drum over on
its other end and repeat this procedure. Carefully empty the rinsate
into the spray tank. Repeat this procedure until the rinse water runs
clear. Carefully rinse cap over spray tank opening, and make sure there
is no remaining pesticide on the inside or outside of drum. Puncture the
base of the drum with a drill so that it cannot be reused. Store drums
where they will be protected from rain until they can be recycled or
disposed of properly.

**Cleaning Paper or Plastic Sacks and Fiber Containers**

Empty the contents completely into the application equipment. You may
need to cut open the container to clean out all the material in the
seams. Never rip the container; use scissors or a knife but not a
personal pocketknife. Do not let material blow around. Wear appropriate
personal protective equipment including, if necessary, breathing
protection. If possible, rinse the container. Some containers have
plastic or foil liners that will allow you to rinse them. Use the
rinsate in the spray mixture or collect it for disposal. Once the
containers are cleaned, dispose of them as regular solid waste. [Do
no]{.underline}t burn the containers. Burning can release poisonous
fumes, and it is illegal.

[**Disposal and Recycling** **of Containers**]{.underline}

Proper disposal or recycling of pesticide containers helps to protect
the environment and therefore helps improve the image of agrichemical
users in the eyes of the general public. Recycling also saves money for
the pesticide user and for local landfills, and it helps protect the
environment.

**Disposal Procedures**

Landfills accept only containers that have been cleaned. Some landfills
inspect containers and/or require written verification of their
cleanliness. The Idaho State Department of Agriculture has a free
program to collect and recycle clean plastic pesticide containers,
referred to as CROP. The containers must be triple rinsed. The CROP
truck can come to your site or a central location and chip HDPE #2
plastic. The chipper equipment can handle containers up to and including
5 gallons whole.  Thirty-gallon and 55 gallon containers must be cut up
by the participant prior to chipping. If the five gallon containers are
thick-walled they must also be cut up by the participant prior to
chipping. For additional information and schedules, contact the ISDA at
208-338-8500 or refer to their website:
<http://www.agri.state.id.us/Categories/Pesticides/container/indexcontainermain.php>.

**[Disposing of Unused Agricultural and Household
Pesticides]{.underline}**

ISDA conducts unusable pesticide disposal collection from agricultural
producers, dealers, homeowners and applicators throughout the state.
Prospective participants need only bring their unusable pesticides to
the most convenient collection site listed on the "Pesticide Disposal
Program Schedule." This program provides the agricultural producer and
homeowner a safe, convenient and environmentally friendly way to dispose
of unusable pesticides. This program is free for the first 1,000 pounds
of unusable pesticides per participant. For more information and current
schedules, contact ISDA at 208-332-8500, or visit their website:

<http://www.agri.state.id.us/Categories/Pesticides/pdp/indexdisposalmain.php>.  

In addition, many local communities provide household hazardous waste
collection sites. Contact your city, county or solid waste collection
provider to find out more information.

The Home\*A\*Syst program is a series of information sheets and
worksheets that help individuals assess how practices around their
homesteads can impact their drinking water. Information on the correct
handling, storage and disposal of pesticides to protect private well
drinking water is provided by the ISDA at:

<http://homeasyst.idahoag.us/Water/quiz2/quiz2Intro.php>.

[**Pesticide Regulation Authorities**]{.underline}

The specific laws and regulations governing use, storage, disposal and
transportation of pesticides depend on which activity and how much
pesticide is involved.

**For Regulations and More Information on Hazardous Waste** **for
Businesses**

Department of Environmental Quality\
1410 North Hilton

Boise, ID 83706-1255\
Tel: 208-373-0502\
<http://www.deq.state.id.us/waste/assist_business/haz_waste/index.cfm>

**For Regulations and More Information on Hazardous Waste** **for
Households**

Department of Environmental Quality\
1410 North Hilton

Boise, ID 83706-1255\
Tel: 208-373-0502\
<http://www.deq.idaho.gov/waste/assist_citizen_comm/hazardous_waste_guide_1999.pdf>

**For Regulations and More Information on Use and Storage**

Idaho State Department of Agriculture\
PO Box 790\
Boise, ID 83701\
Tel: 208-332-8500\
<http://www.agri.idaho.gov/Categories/Pesticides/indexPesticides.php>

**Disposition of Waste on Owner's Land**

Idaho Code Title 31, Chapter 44, contains regulations that apply to
solid waste disposal on private land. A summary of these regulations
states, "Every owner of land who disposes of solid waste on his own land
shall obtain a written permit from the Board of County Commissioners for
such disposal." The state attorney general's office stated that this was
interpreted to include pesticide containers.

**Open Burning of Pesticide Containers**

The open burning of rubber or plastic products that may emit "toxic
contaminants or large volumes of smoke" is prohibited (Rule 1 --
1151.04). A listing of pesticides, in 40 CFR 165.7(C), that may emit
toxic contaminants includes "\...organic mercury, lead, cadmium or
arsenic compounds\..." This ruling has been interpreted to mean that no
pesticide containers may be burned.

**Pesticide Storage Container Regulations**

No person shall handle, transport, display or distribute pesticides in
such a manner as to endanger humans and their environment or to
contaminate food, feed or any other product that may be transported,
stored, displayed or distributed with such pesticides.

[Storage of pesticide containers by professional applicators and
pesticide dealers]{.underline}

1.  Empty or partially full pesticide containers that contain Class 1
    (highly toxic) pesticides (LD50 of 50 or below) and that require the
    skull and crossbones insignia and the words DANGER---POISON on the
    label, and Class 2 (moderately toxic) pesticides (LD50 of 50 to 500)
    that carry a WARNING statement on the label, and Class 3 (slightly
    toxic) pesticides (LD50 of 500 to 5,000) that carry a "Caution"
    statement on the label shall be stored in one of the following
    enclosures, which when unattended shall be locked to prevent
    unauthorized persons, livestock or animals from gaining entry:

    a.  Closed vehicle

    b.  Closed trailer

    c.  Building or room

    d.  Fenced area with a fence at least six feet high

    e.  Truck or trailer with solid side racks and secured tailgate at
        least six feet above ground level

2.  Empty or partially full pesticide containers that contain Class 4
    pesticides (LD50 over 5,000) shall be in secure storage out of reach
    of children in one of the above enclosures.

3.  Warning notices visible from any direction shall be posted around
    all storage areas where partially full or empty containers that hold
    or have held pesticides, required to be labeled with the signal
    words WARNING or DANGER---POISON, are stored. Each warning notice
    shall be of such size as to be readable at a distance of 25 feet and
    be substantially as follows:

"DANGER\
POISON STORAGE AREA\
ALL UNAUTHORIZED PERSONS KEEP OUT"

> The notice shall be repeated in an appropriate language other than
> English when it may be reasonably anticipated that persons who do not
> understand the English language will come to the enclosure. The notice
> also shall contain the name and phone number of an individual to
> contact in case of an emergency. Any person applying pesticides shall
> be responsible for the proper disposal of such empty containers.