Precautions with Pesticides:
Disposing of Pesticides and Empty Pesticide Containers

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Table of Contents

1. Triple or Jet Rinse Your Empty Pesticide Containers
2. How to Dispose of Empty, Triple Rinsed Containers
3. Unwanted Pesticides
4. Surplus Spray Mix
5. Soluble Packaging Options
6. Other topics on Precautions with Pesticides
   • Pesticide Regulations
   • Certification and Training Requirements
   • General Precautions
   • Read and Follow Pesticide Label Information
   • Human Health
   • Protective Clothing and Equipment
   • Protect the Environment
   • Disposal of Pesticides and Empty Pesticide Containers
   • Storing Pesticides
   • Pesticide Spills
   • Application Procedures
   • Precautions with Pesticide Tables
     • Pesticide Schedules in Ontario (Pesticide Regulations)
     • Safety Supply Companies in Ontario Providing Protective Clothing & Equipment (Table 1-1)
     • Pesticides Act Storage Requirements(Table 1-2)
7. Related Links

Triple or Jet Rinse Your Empty Pesticide Containers

Unrinsed pesticide containers are not really "empty". They may still hold about 1% of the original amount of pesticide. Although this figure sounds low, it is still a hazard to humans, animals, and the environment. To reduce the hazard, rinse each container 3 times as the spray tank is filling. Use either the manual triple rinse technique, or a specially designed device for rinsing containers. Paper or cardboard containers are often strong enough to be rinsed. If it is possible, rinse these containers as well as plastic ones.

To Triple Rinse:

1. Fill the empty container at least 10% full of the diluting material (usually water).
2. Cap, then shake or roll the container so that the inside surfaces of the container are well rinsed.
3. Pour rinsings into the spray tank.
4. Repeat steps 1-3 twice more.

Remember to check the container after you have finished rinsing. Make sure that no pesticide has been left behind as a cake or paste on the bottom of the container.

Rinsing Devices:

Rinsing devices use pressurized water to clean out the container. They are just as effective as triple rinsing but take less time. Follow the manufacturer's instructions.

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How to Dispose of Empty, Triple Rinsed Containers

Never reuse empty pesticide containers. They may be handy, but there is still some risk even if the containers are triple rinsed. Never give empty, rinsed containers to anyone, especially not children. Dispose of them promptly.

Regulation 914 of the Pesticides Act regulates how pesticide containers are to be disposed of in Ontario.[Reg.914,s. 27]:

For Metal, Plastic, or Glass Containers

Dispose of an empty metal, plastic, or glass container that has been used to hold a Schedule 1, 2, 3*, 5 or 6* (*non-domestic) pesticide:

• triple rinsing or jet rinsing using clean water, or another appropriate solvent;

AND either

• taking it for recycling to a pesticide container depot;

OR

• taking it to a licensed waste disposal site. (Reg. 914, s. 27)

Once containers are properly rinsed, they should be punctured to make it impossible to use them again and to make sure the rinse water is out of the container.

It is often more convenient to store empty, rinsed containers until you have collected enough to make a trip to the recycling pesticide container depot or the waste disposal site. If you store containers, keep them in a dry safe place, such as the storage area, until you can dispose of them properly.

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Recycling

The Ontario Pesticide Container Recycling Program is available to growers and commercial applicators. Through this program, clean, triple rinsed, plastic/metal pesticide containers (up to 23 L in size for plastic and 20 L in size for metal) can be returned to pesticide container depots located throughout the province. To locate the pesticide container recycling depot closest to you, call the Ontario Pesticide Education Program at 1-800-652-8573.

A recycling pesticide container depot has been established by Future Farm Supply in Aylmer, to collect empty metal drums that contained sucker oil and fumigants used in tobacco and fruit production.

For Paper and Cardboard Containers

A paper or cardboard container that has been used to hold a Schedule 1, 2, 3*, 5 or 6* (*non-domestic) pesticide shall be disposed of by:

• triple rinsing or jet rinsing (if possible) using clean water;

AND either

• burning, (if allowed by municipal by-laws) in circumstances that persons and animals are kept out of any smoke produced and any smoke is directed away from buildings, highways, roads, or outdoor areas frequented by the public;

OR

• taking it to a licensed waste disposal site.

Paper or cardboard containers are often rigid enough to withstand rinsing. If it is possible, triple rinse these containers as you fill the tank. Then burn the containers in an isolated area on your farmland.

Be very careful around the smoke. It may contain toxic fumes from the burning pesticide. Be certain that there is no chance that a person or animal may breathe in this smoke. Make sure that the smoke does not drift toward buildings, roads, or any public outdoor areas.

These containers can also be taken to a local waste disposal site in the same way as metal, plastic, or glass containers. If you can't dispose of them immediately, make sure containers are kept in a secure place such as the pesticide storage area.

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Unwanted Pesticides

If you have pesticides that you do not need or cannot use, be sure to dispose of them safely.

• Contact the supplier. It is sometimes possible to return unused pesticide if it is still in its original container.
• If you cannot find any way to use the product as shown on the label, then the Ministry of the Environment requires that waste be disposed of by licensed waste haulers to a licensed waste disposal site. Look in the Yellow Pages of your telephone directory under "Liquid Waste Removal".
• Watch your local paper for "Municipal Waste Collection Days" or contact your municipality. If your municipality has no waste collection days, encourage them to sponsor such an event. On these days, you can turn over surplus pesticide concentrates (maximum 25 L) for disposal.

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Surplus Spray Mix

The best way to dispose of any excess spray mix is to find other fields that require an application of this pesticide. Before spraying, check the label to make sure the pesticide is registered for use on that crop.

If you can't find another field to spray, then dilute the remaining spray mix by adding 10 parts of water for each 1 part of spray mix. This diluted solution can be safely applied to the treated area as long as you do not exceed the pesticide rate recommended on the label. Be sure to check the label for any restrictions about crop rotation, days to harvest, or surplus spray mix disposal.

NEVER respray the treated field with undiluted spray mix. Spraying an area twice will double the recommended pesticide rate. This may cause illegal pesticide residues in the harvested crop or harmful residues in the soil that can cause crop damage.

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Soluble Packaging Options

Choose soluble packages that dissolve in the spray tank to reduce container disposal. Water-soluble packaging is used for dry flowable and wettable powder formulations of pesticides and is available under names such as Clean Pak, Solupak, and Toss-N-Go. In most cases, the water-soluble packaging material is PVA (poly vinyl alcohol). This material dissolves completely when added to the water in the sprayer tank according to instructions.

Read all labels and instructions carefully. For more details contact your vendor.

Keep soluble pouches dry until you add them to the spray tank:

• Do not handle pouches with wet hands or wet gloves.
• Do not remove pouches from the outer package until you are ready to add them
• Always reseal the outer package to protect the remaining pouches from moisture.

Mixing Soluble Pouches

• Consult product labels for specific mixing instructions for each product.
• Fill the spray tank ¼ full of water and have the agitator running - then add the water-soluble pouches to the tank.
• Most pouches dissolve completely within 5 minutes, depending on the water temperature and the degree of agitation
• As the tank continues to fill, add any other compatible pesticides.
• Do not add:
  • a pesticide that is incompatible with the PVA packaging material. The PVA material is not soluble with summer-type oils (e.g., Superior Oil).
  • any material containing boron (e.g., Solubor), chelated micronutrients or water-soluble fertilizers. This combination is likely to cause a sticky, insoluble substance in the tank. If you apply boron, chelated micronutrients or water-soluble fertilizers, make sure that you completely empty and rinse the spray tank before you use any product packaged in PVA.

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Related Links

• Publication 75, Guide to Weed Control
• Publication 812, Field Crop Protection Guide
• PMRA website

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