Chapter 15
How to Dispose of Pesticides
and Pesticide Containers
Safely
In This
Chapter
After learning the information in this chapter, you will be able to:
1. List the three steps of pesticide container recycling.
2. Describe how to dispose of different types of pesticide containers.
3. Describe how to dispose of surplus pesticides and spray mix.
Keywords
rinse, remove, return, soluble packaging, CleanFARMS, surplus
spray mix, surplus pesticides, obsolete pesticide collection
Every time you use a pesticide, you face the problem of how to
dispose of empty containers and left-over pesticide spray mix.
Anyone who stores pesticides may have to get rid of old stock or the
contents from a damaged container. You can prevent environmental
damage if you follow proper disposal procedures when you dispose
of empty containers, left-over spray mix, or surplus pesticides.
Avoid
Container
Disposal
Problems
To avoid problems with container disposal, you can:
 Buy in bulk. A number of pesticides are available in minibulk, or shuttle containers. These containers hold from 50 to
480 litres of product and can be returned as a sealed unit.
Check with the vendor for the requirements to handle and use
these containers properly. Return bulk containers to your
pesticide vendor for disposal.
 Look for products that come in soluble packaging. These
containers have been pre-measured. The package is made of
polyvinyl alcohol that dissolves when it comes into contact
with water. There is no container left for disposal.
Chapter 15 – How to Dispose of Pesticides and Pesticide Containers Safely
157
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Triple Rinsing:
Standard Operating Procedure for Rinsing Pesticide Containers
Chapter 15 – How to Dispose of Pesticides and Pesticide Containers Safely
159
160
Chapter 15 – How to Dispose of Pesticides and Pesticide Containers Safely
Pressure Rinsing:
Standard Operating Procedure for Rinsing Pesticide Containers
Chem-handler:
Standard Operating Procedure for Rinsing Pesticide Containers
Chapter 15 – How to Dispose of Pesticides and Pesticide Containers Safely
161
Step 2: Remove
After rinsing, remove the cap and the paper label. Discard the
paper booklet in your paper recycling if it is uncontaminated. If it is
contaminated, discard with your regular waste. The cap must be
removed because it is made of a different type of plastic.
Step 3: Return
Return the clean, rinsed plastic pesticide containers to a Pesticide
Container Depot for recycling. To locate the Pesticide Container
Recycling Depot closest to you, visit www.cleanfarms.ca. It is often
more convenient to store empty, rinsed containers until you have
collected enough to make a trip to the recycling Pesticide Container
Depot or the waste disposal site. If you store containers, keep them
in a dry safe place, such as the storage area, until you can dispose of
them properly.
Most plastic jugs are packaged in cardboard boxes for more secure
handling during transport. Recycle these cardboard boxes if they
have not been contaminated with pesticide. If they have been
contaminated with pesticide, take them to a landfill site.
Empty
Pesticide and
Seed Bag
Collection
Empty pesticide and seed bag collection may be available in your
area. CleanFARMS is piloting the collection of empty pesticide and
seed bags (paper, plastic and polywoven seed bags) in some areas of
Ontario. See the CleanFARMS website for collection site locations,
preparation steps and a description of the types of bags that will be
accepted.
Regulation
Regulation 63/09 under the Ontario Pesticides Act regulates how
pesticide containers are to be disposed of.
Metal, Plastic, or Glass Containers (Reg. 63/09, s.105)
Dispose of an empty metal, plastic, or glass container that has been
used to hold a Class 1, 2, 3, or 4 pesticide by:
 triple rinsing or pressure rinsing using clean water or another
appropriate solvent and

162
taking it for recycling to a Pesticide Container Depot or
taking it to a licensed waste disposal site.
Chapter 15 – How to Dispose of Pesticides and Pesticide Containers Safely
Paper and Cardboard Containers (Reg. 63/09, s.105)
Dispose of a paper or cardboard container that has been used to hold
a Class 1, 2, 3 or 4 pesticide by:
 triple rinsing or pressure rinsing (if possible) using clean
water and

taking it to a licensed waste disposal site or burning if
allowed by municipal by-laws.
When burning, keep persons and animals out of any smoke and burn
only when smoke is blowing away from buildings, highways, roads,
or outdoor areas frequented by the public as the smoke may contain
toxic fumes.
Surplus Spray
Mix
Avoid having any pesticide spray mix left over after you have
finished by calculating carefully how much spray mix you need.
Surplus spray mix is a waste of money as well as a disposal problem.
Avoid Surplus
Spray Mix
Check all the information on the label before the spray operation:
 Make sure you have identified the pest problem properly and
selected the right pesticide. This will prevent having to get rid
of a tank-load of the wrong pesticide.
 Calculate the amount of spray mix carefully. Read
Chapter 20 - Applying the Right Amount of Pesticide.
 Make sure that the pesticide you mix can be applied in the
time available. Read the product label and watch the weather.
Disposal of
Surplus Spray
Mix
The best way to dispose of surplus spray mix is to find other fields
that require an application of this pesticide.
If you can’t find another field to spray, then dilute the remaining
spray mix by adding 10 parts of water for each 1 part of spray
mix. This diluted solution can be safely applied to the treated area as
long as you do not exceed the pesticide rate recommended on the
label. Be sure to check the label for any restrictions about crop
rotation, days to harvest, or surplus spray mix disposal.
NEVER re-spray the treated field with undiluted spray mix.
Spraying an area twice will double the recommended pesticide rate.
This may cause illegal pesticide residues in the harvested crop or
harmful residues in the soil that can cause crop damage.
Chapter 15 – How to Dispose of Pesticides and Pesticide Containers Safely
163
Surplus
Pesticides in
Storage
Avoid Surplus
Pesticides
Disposal of
Surplus
Pesticide
164
Check the storage area for surplus pesticides. These are pesticides that
you don’t need or can’t use. Try to store as few pesticides as possible.
This will reduce the chance of an accident occurring.

Buy only what you need for each season. Make sure you buy
the right pesticide to control the pest problem.

Keep an accurate inventory of all pesticides in storage. Use
old inventory before purchasing more pesticides.

Mark the purchase date on each pesticide container. Most
pesticides retain their effectiveness for two or more years if
stored properly - meaning cool temperatures (not freezing),
and dry storage conditions.
If you have pesticides that you don’t need or can’t use, be sure to
dispose of them safely:

Contact the supplier. It is sometimes possible to return unused
pesticide if it is still in its original container.

If you cannot find any way to use the product as shown on the
label, then the waste must be disposed of by waste haulers
licensed under Part V of the Environmental Protection Act to
carry hazardous wastes. Check for “Liquid Waste Removal”
companies in your area.

Watch for Obsolete Pesticide Collection days. The
government and pesticide industry coordinate free agricultural
pesticide collection and disposal programs in Ontario every
three years. The next collection will be in the fall of 2016.
Check www.cleanfarms.ca or call 1-877-622-4460 for dates
and locations.

Contact your municipality. The service for hazardous waste
disposal is different in each municipality. Ask how agricultural
pesticides may be properly disposed of in your municipality.
Chapter 15 – How to Dispose of Pesticides and Pesticide Containers Safely
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Practice Your Understanding
1. An empty pesticide container still holds approximately 1% of the original amount of pesticide.
TRUE
FALSE
2. What are the three steps of empty container recycling?
1.
2.
3.
3. It is safe to re-use empty pesticide containers once they have been triple rinsed.
TRUE
FALSE
4. To dispose of surplus tank mix, dilute the spray mix 10 parts water to 1 part mix and re-spray
the treated field.
TRUE
FALSE
5. List three (3) ways that you could properly dispose of the old pesticides you have in your
storage.
1.
2.
3.
166
Chapter 15 – How to Dispose of Pesticides and Pesticide Containers Safely