The "cleanup" and "disposal" are very important if pesticides are to be used safely.
Rinse "empty" containers with water or the spray solvent three times according to the "Triple Rinse and Drain" procedure. Add the rinse to the spray mixture and apply to the target area.
All triple rinsed containers may be crushed and buried in a sanitary landfill. If it is not possible to rinse containers, it may be possible to return them to your supplier or formulator or take them to an approved landfill operating under EPA or state permit for pesticide disposal.
Empty pesticide bags and cartons can be burned unless the law prohibits such, but you must keep away from the toxic smoke. Some herbicide containers should not be burned. Check with the local and state regulations and authorities before indulging in open burning.
Break, crush, or otherwise destroy glass, plastic, and metal containers and bury them in an isolated place or approved sanitary landfill. If properly rinsed, some containers can be buried at the site of pesticide application. Large metal containers may be reclaimed and/or recycled where such facilities are available. Never re-use any "empty" container for any other purpose than its original intent.
The safe and convenient disposal of unwanted or surplus pesticides is not a simple matter. When possible, it is much better to prevent the problem by purchasing only the amounts that will be needed. The preferred method of disposing of a surplus pesticide is to apply the material for some alternative, registered use. Consult the label for authorized uses. If such action is not possible, check with the supplier to see if he will take back the surplus material. You should also contact the landfills operating under EPA or state permit for pesticide disposal. Some areas may have adequate incineration facilities, approved landfills or other approved means of disposing of unused pesticide wastes, but most solid waste landfills are not suitable and will not accept pesticide wastes. However, a triple rinsed pesticide container is considered as solid waste and will generally be accepted as such at a landfill. Diluted surplus pesticides and spray tank solutions can be disposed of by spraying over an isolated area or location, if available. Great care must be taken not to contaminate food, surface and ground water, streams, animals, wildlife, etc. If you cannot dispose of such materials right away, safely store them until you can dispose of them properly.
Pesticide applicators and handlers who generate wastes of certain pesticide chemicals may be regulated under the Resource Conservation and Recovery Act (RCRA) relative to the disposal of hazardous wastes. Chemicals listed by EPA as acutely hazardous or toxic waste must be handled according to the regulations. Pesticides registered in Ohio that are included on the acute hazardous waste and toxic waste lists are shown in Tables 5 and 6, respectively. Waste can include tank mixes that are not to be used, rinsate, unrinsed containers, old products, unused baits, spills and contaminated materials. To avoid the additional requirements on disposal, an applicator must not generate or accumulate any of the following:
A farmer disposing of hazardous waste pesticides from his own use is exempt from these regulations provided that:
| Table 5. Pesticides on the Acute Hazardous Waste Chemical List Registered for Use in Ohio* |
|---|
| Aldicarb (Temik) |
| Aluminum phosphide (Al Phos, Celphos, Detia, Phostoxin) |
| 4- AP (Avitrol) |
| Disulfoton (Di-Syston) |
| Endosulfan (Thiodan) |
| Endothall (Aquathol, Hydrothal) |
| Endrin (Endrex, Hexadrin, Rid- A- Bird) |
| Famphur (Warbex) |
| Methomyl (Lannate, Nubrin) |
| Methyl Parathion (Penncap M, Methyl Parathion, Metron, Folidol M) |
| Nicotine (Black Leaf 40) |
| Parathion (Many names) |
| Sodium fluoroacetate (Compound 1080) |
| Strychnine and its salts |
| Toxaphene (several names) |
| Warfarin (Kypfaren, Ratox, Warfarin) |
| Zinc phosphide (Phosvin, Zinc-Tox) |
| * This condensed list may not be complete due to technological and regulatory changes. |
| Table 6. Pesticides on the Toxic Waste Chemical List Registered for Use in Ohio* |
|---|
| Amino-triazole (Amitrole) |
| Chlordane (Chlordane) |
| 2,4-D (Many names) |
| Dichloropropene (Telone) |
| Dimethoate (Cygon, Defend) |
| Ethylene dichloride (EDC) |
| Hexachlorobenzene (Anticarie, HCB, NoBunt) |
| Lindane |
| Maleic hydrazide (MH-30 and others) |
| PCNB (Terraclor, Avicol, Pentagen and others) |
| * This condensed list may not be complete due to technological and regulatory changes. Ethyiene debromide (EDs) and 2,4,5-T are also on the list but are no longer registered for use. |
Custom pesticide applicators, pesticide dealers and other pesticide handlers who are not farmers may be required to meet the requirements of RCRA if they generate wastes in excess of that indicated above. In such cases, they should check with the closest district office of Ohio EPA for instructions on obtaining an EPA RCRA establishment number and on storing, handling and disposing of hazardous wastes. Disposal regulations require that empty containers that contained pesticides classified as hazardous wastes and waste pesticides be disposed of in a designated hazardous waste site, unless triple rinsing and other requirements are followed by the commercial pesticide applicator. To avoid the accumulation of rinsate, use the rinse in the tank mix whenever possible. The triple rinsed containers may be disposed of at a sanitary landfill as any other solid waste. In some cases the nature of the pesticide formulation requires rinsing with a solvent other than water. If there is a question on the appropriate solvent for a product, check with a representative of the product manufacturer.
Store unused pesticides in the tightly closed original container in a locked cabinet, room, or building away from children, net, and livestock. Make sure the labels are intact and the container is not torn or leaking. Storage areas should be dry, well ventilated, and maintained at temperatures above freezing. Do not store with food, feed, seed, fertilizer, or water supplies and keep different pesticides separated and segregated. Keep a current inventory of materials. Mark all entrances to storage areas clearly in language understandable to all employees with the appropriate warnings indicating "Pesticides - Keep Out - Authorized Personnel Only."
Always check the container label for general and specific information relative to storage and disposal procedures for the particular pesticide or container in question.