1. Safe disposal of pesticides and pesticide containers
PESTICIDE DISPOSAL
Safe disposal of pesticides and pesticide containers
Information provided for UAC members by the Georgia Urban Ag Council and Snellings Walters Insurance Agency

2. Objective
To learn safe and legal disposal of pesticides and pesticide containers
Information provided for UAC members by the Georgia Urban Ag Council and Snellings Walters Insurance Agency

3. First step: preplanning
Careful preplanning can reduce the need to dispose of pesticides and their containers.
Purchase only the amount needed
Pesticides have expiration dates and should not be used after that date
Use older products first
Information provided for UAC members by the Georgia Urban Ag Council and Snellings Walters Insurance Agency

4. First step: preplanning
Mix only amount needed and apply with properly calibrated equipment
Be careful during mixing and loading procedures so there is no spillage
Protect from damage and contamination
Store in cool location our of the sun
Keep in original containers, out of reach of children or animals
Purchase water soluble pesticide packaging to eliminate container disposal
Information provided for UAC members by the Georgia Urban Ag Council and Snellings Walters Insurance Agency

5. Options for disposal
Use up the pesticide according to label directions
If not feasible, consider giving it to another pesticide applicator to use according to label directions
If the pesticide is a restricted use pesticide, give it only to a licensed applicator
Information provided for UAC members by the Georgia Urban Ag Council and Snellings Walters Insurance Agency

6. Options for disposal
Pesticides can be disposed at EPA approved facilities. In Georgia, dispose at no cost by contacting:
USAG Recycling Penick Road Waller TX 77484
Phone: Toll Free:
Information provided for UAC members by the Georgia Urban Ag Council and Snellings Walters Insurance Agency

7. Options for disposal
Professional companies will incinerate excess pesticides
Pesticides may be stored under environmentally safe conditions until an acceptable disposal method or facility is available
May be costly and difficult to maintain over extended periods of time
Information provided for UAC members by the Georgia Urban Ag Council and Snellings Walters Insurance Agency

8. What NOT to do DO NOT dispose of pesticides by:
pouring down the drain or into water
pouring on the ground
discarding in desolate areas
burning excess
using for other than their labeled uses
selling, unless licensed to do so
Information provided for UAC members by the Georgia Urban Ag Council and Snellings Walters Insurance Agency

9. Disposing containers
Pesticide containers must also be properly disposed
Resource Conservation and Recovery Act (RCRA)
Information provided for UAC members by the Georgia Urban Ag Council and Snellings Walters Insurance Agency

10. Disposing containers
Containers from pesticides regulated as hazardous waste are hazardous wastes when empty unless properly cleaned.
Refer to "Storage and Disposal" section of label or MSDS
All residues and rinsates should be collected and used according to their labeled application method or used to mix similar solutions of the pesticide
Information provided for UAC members by the Georgia Urban Ag Council and Snellings Walters Insurance Agency

11. Disposing containers Paper or plastic bags
Empty thoroughly and shake clean
Bury on your own property in safe location away from water and animals or susceptible plants, or add to other solid waste trash for sanitary landfill disposal
Information provided for UAC members by the Georgia Urban Ag Council and Snellings Walters Insurance Agency

12. Disposing containers Liquid containers
Pressure rinse or triple rinse immediately after emptied and while still moist inside
Formulation residues are very difficult to remove once they have dried and caked on inside of container
Information provided for UAC members by the Georgia Urban Ag Council and Snellings Walters Insurance Agency

13. Disposing containers
Rinsing containers during mixing and loading solves the problem of what to do with container rinse water
Add rinse water to spray tank as part of water used to prepare the spray
Always perforate or puncture containers at least three times to prevent further use
Information provided for UAC members by the Georgia Urban Ag Council and Snellings Walters Insurance Agency

14. Mixing/rinsing options
Mix and load solutions, rinse sprayer tanks, and wash off equipment on a concrete pad with a tank to collect runoff
Rinse in the field by equipping the sprayer with a flush tank of clean water
Rinse system with water from flush tank and leave rinsate in the field, now permitted by many pesticide labels
Filtering through activated charcoal is another option for handling excess liquids
Information provided for UAC members by the Georgia Urban Ag Council and Snellings Walters Insurance Agency

15. Rinsing methods
Newly emptied pesticide containers can be rinsed by either pressure rinsing or triple hand rinsing
Both methods work when done properly
Information provided for UAC members by the Georgia Urban Ag Council and Snellings Walters Insurance Agency

16. Pressure rinse nozzles
Hardened, sharp, pointed tubular shaft
Typically four holes drilled at 90-degree angles around shaft
Sharp nozzle tip used to puncture hole in container as it is pressure washed
UFL.IFAS EXTENSION
Information provided for UAC members by the Georgia Urban Ag Council and Snellings Walters Insurance Agency

17. Pressure rinsing small containers (up to 5 gallons)
Wear all protective clothing and equipment required by the pesticide label
Check and adjust clothing and equipment for proper fit
Information provided for UAC members by the Georgia Urban Ag Council and Snellings Walters Insurance Agency

18. Pressure rinsing small containers (up to 5 gallons)
Install pressure rinse nozzle on hose connected to clean water supply capable of delivering 35 to 60 psi of water pressure
Test hose and nozzle fittings for leaks with nozzle turned off while hose is under pressure
Information provided for UAC members by the Georgia Urban Ag Council and Snellings Walters Insurance Agency

19. Pressure rinsing small containers (up to 5 gallons)
Remove pesticide container cap and set aside
Place in a location that will be easy to reach while pressure rinsing
Carefully pour the pesticide formulation into sprayer tank
Allow to drip drain at least 30 seconds
Information provided for UAC members by the Georgia Urban Ag Council and Snellings Walters Insurance Agency

20. Pressure rinsing small containers (up to 5 gallons)
Hold pesticide container upside down over sprayer tank opening
Remove nozzle’s tip guard
Firmly press nozzle tip against side or bottom of plastic containers and into bottom of metal containers
Twist and push until nozzle’s probe penetrates the container material and is fully seated
Information provided for UAC members by the Georgia Urban Ag Council and Snellings Walters Insurance Agency

21. Pressure rinsing small containers (up to 5 gallons)
Turn on pressure rinse nozzle
See that all water drains into tank
Rinse 30 seconds, until water is clear
Twist nozzle handle in clockwise/ counterclockwise and back/forth rocking motion
Keep nozzle probe fully inserted
Information provided for UAC members by the Georgia Urban Ag Council and Snellings Walters Insurance Agency

22. Pressure rinsing small containers (up to 5 gallons)
When rinse water is clear, retrieve pesticide container cap and hold it in rinse water that is pouring from pesticide container into spray tank
Rinse cap until all visible traces of formulation have been washed away
Set cap aside for separate discard
Information provided for UAC members by the Georgia Urban Ag Council and Snellings Walters Insurance Agency

23. Pressure rinsing small containers (up to 5 gallons)
Turn off pressure rinse nozzle
Remove nozzle probe from rinsed pesticide container, replace tip guard
Allow rinse water to drip drain for 20 to 30 seconds
Remove container from spray tank opening
Information provided for UAC members by the Georgia Urban Ag Council and Snellings Walters Insurance Agency

24. Pressure rinsing small containers (up to 5 gallons)
Dispose of rinsed container and cap according to label instructions
Information provided for UAC members by the Georgia Urban Ag Council and Snellings Walters Insurance Agency

25. Triple hand rinsing small containers (up to 5 gallons)
Wear all protective clothing and equipment required by pesticide label
Check and adjust clothing and equipment for proper fit
Information provided for UAC members by the Georgia Urban Ag Council and Snellings Walters Insurance Agency

26. Triple hand rinsing small containers (up to 5 gallons)
Remove cap and set aside
Carefully pour pesticide formulation into sprayer tank
Allow container to drip-drain for at least 30 seconds
Information provided for UAC members by the Georgia Urban Ag Council and Snellings Walters Insurance Agency

27. Triple hand rinsing small containers (up to 5 gallons)
Partially fill container with clean water
Approximately 20 percent full
1.5 pints per gallon
Put cap back on container and tighten
Information provided for UAC members by the Georgia Urban Ag Council and Snellings Walters Insurance Agency

28. Triple hand rinsing small containers (up to 5 gallons)
Shake water in container vigorously for at least one full minute
Make sure rinse water contacts all inside surfaces several times
Information provided for UAC members by the Georgia Urban Ag Council and Snellings Walters Insurance Agency

29. Triple hand rinsing small containers (up to 5 gallons)
Remove cap and carefully pour rinse water into sprayer tank
Allow container to drip drain for at least 30 seconds
Repeat filling, rinsing, draining procedure two more times
Information provided for UAC members by the Georgia Urban Ag Council and Snellings Walters Insurance Agency

30. What NOT to do DO NOT dispose of pesticide containers by:
sending nontriple-rinsed pesticide containers to sanitary landfills or recyclers
discarding pesticide containers in unapproved locations
re-using pesticide containers for other purposes
allowing nontriple-rinsed pesticide containers to accumulate
Information provided for UAC members by the Georgia Urban Ag Council and Snellings Walters Insurance Agency