Handling Containers
This module provides general principles on the proper handling of empty pesticide containers.
Carol Ramsay, Washington State University Extension Pesticide Specialist and members of The
Pesticide Stewardship Alliance, compiled the information in this module using noted resources
and contributions from national subject matter experts. Remember to follow all local, state, and
federal regulations regarding pesticide emptying and handling empty containers. Review the
product label for any specific directions.
A brief description of, and links to, the various topics within this module follows:
1. An Introduction states the importance of immediate and proper handling of empty
containers.
2. Paper and Plastic Bags rarely are rinsed, but still require careful handling prior to
disposal.
3. Nonrefillable containers (plastic) are usually made of plastic, require immediate rinsing
and then can be recycled or taken to a landfill.
4. Refillable containers and shuttles must be emptied as best as possible. Cleaning,
refilling, and disposal are the responsibility of the dealer or registrant, not the
applicator.
5. Two methods of Rinsing Instructions (triple- and pressure-rinsing) are reviewed with
links to videos as well as standards of acceptance for recycling.
6. Both plastic recycling and landfills are discussed as Disposal Options, as well as links to
the Disposal web pages.
7. Additional resources for handling empty pesticide containers are located in the Fact
Sheets section.
Introduction
PES Disposal
The Pesticide Stewardship Alliance
Carol Ramsay, Washington State University and The Pesticide
Stewardship Alliance
Take that little extra time to handle empty
containers properly when preparing your spray
batch or filling application equipment. Careful
emptying and rinsing of containers reduces
concerns for human exposures and possible
impacts on wildlife and the environment.
Save yourself from hazardous waste headaches
and expense by properly handling paper and
plastic containers. Get all your money’s worth
by using up that last granule or drop.
Properly rinsed plastic containers can be recycled in most states through an approved pesticide
container recycling program. Properly handled paper or plastic can be taken to local landfills
and transfer stations. If paper or plastic
containers are not properly emptied or rinsed,
the container itself becomes a hazardous
waste. Hazardous wastes are very expensive
to farmers, foresters, public agencies and
commercial pesticide application operations
because federal law requires they be handled
by certified hazardous waste professionals for
their packaging, transport and acceptance at a
hazardous waste landfill or incineration facility
(DISPOSAL).
Lastly, take precautions when handling
containers. Wear appropriate protective gear when mixing, loading, and rinsing containers.
Never reuse a pesticide container for any purpose. Product labels prohibit the reuse of
containers and the label is the law.
Paper and Plastic Bags
The Pesticide Stewardship Alliance
Carol Ramsay, Washington State University and The Pesticide
Stewardship Alliance
Granular and dust formulations often are packaged
in plastic bags, waxed-paper or other waterresistant paper packaging. Completely empty the
contents of paper-based containers as best as
possible into your application equipment. Shake and
tap the sides and bottom to dislodge particles. If
bags have seams, open side seams with a utility
knife (not your pocket knife) to loosen particles
trapped in the seams. If paper or plastic bags are not
emptied sufficiently and hold pesticide product, the
paper container might require handling by a
hazardous waste contractor depending on the
toxicity of the pesticide. Properly emptied bags can
be taken to your local landfill or waste transfer
station.
Nonrefillable Containers (Plastic)
Ag Container Recycling Council
The Pesticide Stewardship Alliance
Carol Ramsay, Washington State University and The Pesticide
Stewardship Alliance
Most nonrefillable containers are made of high
density polyethylene (HDPE) plastic; some are
constructed of metal. Recycling and landfills provide
disposal options. All nonrefillable plastic containers
must be rinsed prior to taking for recycling
(instructions for acceptable containers http://www.usagrecycling.com/containers.asp and
http://www.acrecycle.org/acceptable.html). Note that
the type of plastic in the cap on the container is
different from the type of plastic in the container.
Rinse the cap and dispose of it with your normal
refuse; take the uncapped, rinsed container for
recycling. The rinsed container cannot be recycled
through a household recycling service and must be processed by an approved pesticide container recycler,
Ag Container Recycling Council (ACRC).
Immediately rinse nonrefillable plastic containers when you fill the sprayer. Drain the container
rinsewater directly in the spray tank. Rinsing (pressure or triple-rinse) immediately easily removes all
product concentrate and renders the container sufficiently clean to recycle or send for disposal. Do not
allow any residue to become dried and difficult or impossible to rinse; if this occurs, the container is
consider full and is classified an expensive hazardous waste. Federal regulations provide that properly
rinsed plastic containers become a general waste product that can be recycled by an approved “pesticide
container recycler” or disposed of at a landfill or waste transfer station.
As of 2010, labels on nonrefillable plastic containers state the following use instructions: “Do not reuse or
refill this container. Once cleaned, some agricultural plastic pesticide containers can be taken to a
container collection site or picked up for recycling. Triple-rinse the container (or equivalent) promptly
after emptying.” Instructions for triple-rinsing are included on the label. Pressure-rinsing is an accepted
equivalent for triple-rinsing.
Refillable Container & Shuttles
The Pesticide Stewardship Alliance
Carol Ramsay, Washington State University and The Pesticide Stewardship Alliance
As of 2011, all refillable containers must have a tamper resistant device that applicators must
break prior to removing product from the shuttle. Applicators and mixer/loaders need to empty
their refillable container or shuttle as much as possible. Return refillable containers or shuttles
to the dealer. The dealer is responsible to refill the container with pesticide only or process for
disposal. Do not reuse this container for any other purpose. Cleaning before refilling is the
responsibility of the refiller, not the applicator.
Dealers have specific requirements for handling
bulk pesticide repackaging to accommodate the
return and refill of greater than 55 gallons liquid
or 100 pounds dry material. If the same
product is used for refilling, this activity can be
done without cleaning the container. If the
dealer wishes to place a pesticide in a container
which is different than the pesticide the
container previously held, the dealer must
thoroughly clean the container according to the
written instructions of the registrant of the
product being placed in the container. Once
refilled, a new tamper resistant device must be
installed. Both the dealer and the registrant of
the pesticide being sold or distributed are liable for any cross-contamination or other
adulteration which may occur.
Rinsing Instructions
The Pesticide Stewardship Alliance
State Disposal Programs
ACRC video
Carol Ramsay, Washington State University and The Pesticide Stewardship Alliance
Why would you want to leave concentrate in a container? Leaving six ounces in a 2.5 gallon
container is a loss of 2%. If the product cost you $250, that is five dollars right off the top.
This is greatly compounded by the need to handle the unrinsed container as a hazardous waste
(EPA, DOT, state environmental agency
oversight, hoops, and expense). However
there are state programs and companies who
can assist you with hazardous wastes.
It is strongly recommended to rinse containers
immediately as you empty them to ensure you
get the containers sufficiently clean. A delay in
rinsing can result in dried, caked residues that
may be very difficult if not impossible to rinse
clean. Visit the ACRC web site to view a video
on pressure or triple rinsing smaller containers
or drums: http://www.acrecycle.org/video.html.
Plastic recycling companies, solid waste
facilities, and incineration facilities require
pesticide containers be properly rinsed. Some
companies or facilities may require you to sign
a document to verify the containers were triple
or pressure rinsed. In rare instances, triplerinsed pesticide container are turned away from disposal facilities.
ACRC has great resources for knowing how to properly handle your containers and illustrates
what types of issues impact whether a container is accepted for recycling; visit their web site:
http://www.acrecycle.org/acceptable.html.
Pressure-Rinsing: Consider eye protection when pressure rinsing nonrefillable containers
(plastic or metal). Attach a special nozzle to the end of a hose. The special nozzle has an
on/off valve and when on the water released by the nozzle forces the pesticide residues from
the container. Rinse directly into your spray batch. Some people think pressure-rinsing is faster
and easier than triple-rinsing. (link to ACRC video)
Directions:
1. When you empty a container, allow it to drain into the spray tank for 10 seconds after it
begins to drip.
2. Remove guard from pressure-rinse nozzle which is connected to a water hose.
3. Place the container against a hard object and puncture the side or bottom of container
carefully. Do not puncture against your leg. Either puncture the:
1. narrow side with the handle near the bottom of the container, or
2. bottom of the container near the handle side (not the opening side).
4. Hold the container upside down with the pour spout over the sprayer tank opening so
rinsate drains directly into the sprayer tank.
5. Rinse for length of time recommended by the manufacturer (generally 30 seconds or
more). Rotate the nozzle to rinse all inside surfaces.
6. Take care to make sure hollow handles are well rinsed.
7. Rinse cap, leave it removed, and dispose of in normal refuse.
8. Allow clean container to dry. Store for later recycling or disposal
Triple-Rinsing: it does not require any special equipment and can be used with plastic, nonpressurized metal, and glass containers. Triple rinse when you empty the container. (link to
ACRC video)
Directions:
1. Empty the pesticide into the spray tank
and allow it to drain for 10 seconds
after it begins to drip.
2. Fill the container ¼ full of water and
securely replace the cap.
3. Shake for 10 seconds to rinse all inside
surfaces.
4. Pour rinsate into application equipment
and allow container to drain for 10
seconds after it begins to drip.
5. Repeat steps 2 through 5 two more
times.
6. Rinse cap, leave it removed, and dispose of in normal refuse.
7. Allow clean container to dry. Store for later recycling or disposal
Disposal Options
Ag Container Recycling Council
The Pesticide Stewardship Alliance
Carol Ramsay, Washington State University and The Pesticide Stewardship Alliance
Plastic recycling is an option for plastic pesticide containers made of high-density
polyethylene (HDPE) which can be recycled through an approved pesticide container recycler.
Rinsed containers are not to be handled as general household plastics and put in the general
plastic recycling stream. Contact the Ag Container Recycling Council (ACRC) or your state
agency responsible for pesticide regulations for assistance (AAPCO) if you need to be pointed in
the direction of your local pesticide container
recycler.
ACRC and the American Society of Agricultural
and Biological Engineers have developed
stringent guidelines for handling recovered
high-density polyethylene HDPE, from the
moment when containers are rinsed right
through the manufacturing process. You can
also learn more about safety and public health
issues here. ACRC needs to ensure how the
plastic will be used and what the end product is
for the plastic so no residues on or in the resin
will have any real or perceived adverse affect
on the environment or the user. Some of the end product generated from chipped containers
include underground conduit, pallets, field drain tiles, speed bumps, and many more.
All sizes of plastic containers are accepted from pints to drums; however, they must be triple or
pressure rinsed.
Landfilling. Rinsed containers generally are accepted by most local landfills or waste transfer
stations. Some landfill facilities require people
to sign a verification statement that states the
pesticide containers were triple rinsed or
equivalent. Facilities that accept household
refuse generally are prohibited from accepting
waste classified as hazardous by the federal
Resource Conservation and Recovery Act. Since
pesticide containers that are not properly
emptied (paper) or rinsed (plastic/metal) fall
into this category, pesticide applicators
frequently have difficulty disposing of unrinsed
or improperly rinsed containers.
Resources
Carol Ramsay, Washington State University and The Pesticide Stewardship Alliance
Fact Sheets
Whitford F., A.G. Martin, J. D. Becovitz, A. Blessing, F. Koontz, R. Merzdorf.
2006. Pesticides and Container Management. Purdue University. PPP 21. 12
pp.
 Hofman, V. and G. Dahl. 1993. Pesticide Container Rinsing and Water Quality
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Web Sites
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Ag Container Recycling Council (ACRC)
ACRC Contractors
Association of American Pesticide Control Officals - State Directory
The Pesticide Stewardship Alliance (TPSA)
TPSA Hazardous Waste Collection Contacts
Regional Plastic Pesticide Container Recyclers
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Container Services Network
Interstate Ag Plastics
Northwest AgPlastics
USAg Recycling