Empty Containers
several different web links
http://pesticidestewardship.org/Pages/default.aspx
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. Building and Location provides resources and guidelines for the establishment of a storage facility.
3. Paper and Plastic Bags rarely are rinsed, but still require careful handling prior to disposal.
4. Nonrefillable containers are usually made of plastic, require immediate rinsing and then can be
recycled or taken to a landfill.
5. Refillable containers and shuttles must be emptied as best possible. Cleaning, refilling, and disposal
are the responsibility of the dealer or registrant, not the applicator.
6. Two methods of Rinsing Instructions (triple- and pressure-rinsing) are reviewed with links to videos as
well as standards of acceptance for recycling.
7. Both plastic recycling and landfills are discussed as Disposal Options, as well as links to the Disposal
web pages.
8. Additional resources for handling empty pesticide containers are located in the Fact Sheets section.
Introduction
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 of paper and plastic containers. Get all your
money’s worth by using up that last granule or drop.
Credit: Pesticide
Properly rinsed plastic containers can be recycled in most states through an approved Pic - Virginia Tech
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.
Credit: Northwest Ag Plastics
Paper and Plastic Bags
Granular and dust formulations often are packaged in plastic bags,
waxed-paper or other water-resistant paper packaging. Completely
empty the contents of paper-based containers as best 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.
Credit: Pesticide
Pic - Virginia Tech
Nonrefillable Containers (Plastic)
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
Photo Credit: Northwest AgPlastic
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 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
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
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, triple-rinsed 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.
USAg Recycling
6. Take care to make sure hollow handles are well rinsed.
7. Rinse cap, leave it removed, and dispose of in normal refuse.
Graphic Credit: USAg Recycling
8. Allow clean container to dry. Store for later recycling or disposal
Triple-Rinsing does not require any special equipment and can be used with plastic, non-pressurized
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.
Graphic Credit: USAg Recycling
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
Plastic recycling is an option for plastic pesticide containers
made of high-density polyethylene (HDPE) 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 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
Credit: USAg Recycling
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
Fact Sheets
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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.
http://www.btny.purdue.edu/Pubs/PPP/PPP-21.pdf
Hofman, V. and G. Dahl. 1993. Pesticide Container Rinsing and Water Quality.
http://www.ag.ndsu.edu/pubs/plantsci/pests/ae1052w.htm
Web Sites
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Ag Container Recycling Council (ACRC) - http://www.acrecycle.org/
ACRC Contractors - http://www.acrecycle.org/contact.html
Association of American Pesticide Control Officals - State Directory http://www.aapco.org/htm/control.htm
The Pesticide Stewardship Alliance (TPSA) - http://www.tpsalliance.org/
TPSA Hazardous Waste Collection Contacts - http://www.tpsalliance.org/state_programs.html
Regional Plastic Pesticide Container Recyclers
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Container Services Network - http://www.containerservicesnetwork.com/
Interstate Ag Plastics - http://www.interstateagplastics.com/
Northwest AgPlastics - http://www.nwagplastics.com/
USAg Recycling - http://www.usagrecycling.com/