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

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

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

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

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

Options for disposal Pesticides can be disposed at EPA approved facilities. In Georgia, dispose at no cost by contacting: USAG Recycling 18330 Penick Road Waller TX 77484 Phone: 936-372-5428 Toll Free: 1-800-654-3145 http://www.usagrecycling.com Information provided for UAC members by the Georgia Urban Ag Council and Snellings Walters Insurance Agency

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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