Pesticide Storage, Handling, and Application - Handling

Table of Contents

1. How to Manage Rinsate
2. Rinsate 3 R's
3. Pesticide Spills
4. Empty Pesticide Containers
5. How to Rinse Empty Containers
6. Available in Published Version of Pesticide Storage, Handling and Application

How to Manage Rinsate

Rinsate is the mixture of water that's contaminated with low concentrations of pesticide products. It may come from

• rinsed containers
  
• sumps
  
• cleanout water or leftover tank mix
  
• previously stored rinsate
  
• spill cleanups.

Rinsate becomes a waste problem when it cannot be recycled on the farm. The chart below gives some tips to manage rinsate effectively.

A best management practice for tank rinsate disposal is to dilute the rinsate 10:1, and then to apply the diluted material to the same field.

Figure 1. Applying diluted rinsate to field

Rinsate 3 R's

Reduce

• Use water-efficient measures to clean tanks, such as:
  • using power washers, e.g., pressurized hook or wand rinser
  • avoiding spills with careful management
  • roofing or otherwise covering the mixing/loading area
  • using a closed mixing system (CMS) approach to mixing/loading

Reuse

• Use rinsate* as a diluent for future field tank mixes
  
• Dilute 10:1 water:rinsate** and apply to same field
  • should not exceed a 1% solution
  • this is within label rates and is well within accuracy of the meters for most application systems
    
• If you plan to store the material, segregate and label recovered materials
  
• Apply label rates - and no more - to accommodate likely application of diluted surplus tank solutions or rinsate

Recycle

• Use bulk containers or CMS to minimize waste and mixed solutions
  • some partially used bulk containers can be returned
• Recycle unused pesticides in original containers
  • check with local authorities for recycling depot location

* Non-segregated rinsate cannot be diluted and applied to field. There are unknown concentrations of products.
** Most tank mixes are already at 10% concentration.

Pesticide Spills

A spill is the discharge of a pesticide or pesticide mixture into the natural environment, from or out of a structure, vehicle, or other container, that is abnormal in quantity or quality in light of all the circumstances of the discharge.

If you use pesticide products, there's always the risk of a spill. Spills can be a safety hazard for staff, children, livestock, pets and wildlife. Spills pose the greatest environmental hazard for the contamination of groundwater, surface water, and fish and wildlife habitat.

Managing a spill effectively takes both proactive and reactive best management practices.

The Spills Action Centre at 1-800-268-6060 has been established by the Ontario Ministry of the Environment to receive calls 24 hours a day.

When a spill occurs, there are five key steps:

1. Safety
2. Control
3. Containment
4. Reporting
5. Cleanup

Empty Pesticide Containers

Empty containers should never be reused. Don't give empty, rinsed containers to anyone, especially children.

All containers, including plastic bags, should be triple-rinsed.
Puncture all containers to render them unusable.
Cardboard and paper containers can be taken to designated landfill sites.
Metal and plastic containers should be taken to an authorized recycling depot. Consult your pesticide vendor for location of the site in your area.

The following best management practices are alternatives to container disposal:

• use bulk returnable or refillable containers
• use water-soluble packaging that dissolves in the spray tank.

How to Rinse Empty Containers

Step 1: Fill empty container 10% full with water. If you're using pressure rinse, rinse for at least 30 seconds.

Step 2: Close cap. Shake, rattle and roll.

Step 3: Empty into spray tank. Then repeat Steps 1-3 two more times.

Available in Published Version of Pesticide Storage, Handling and Application

Pesticide Spills

• Preparation for Possible Spill
• When a Spill Occurs

| Best Management Practices - Pesticide Storage, Handling and Application |