Have you used pesticides on your home or garden, and now you’re looking for how to get rid of leftover pesticides or old pesticide containers? Read on before you toss them! It is hugely important that leftover pesticides and pesticide containers are safely disposed of, so they don't cause harm to people, animals or the environment. Here’s what you should do.
1. Check if there is any pesticide left in the container
Before you toss an old pesticide container, check carefully to see if any pesticide remains inside. Be careful when you’re doing this – pesticides are toxic and you don't want to spill any on yourself or inhale any fumes.
2. Try to use any leftover product before you throw away the container
If there is any product left, try your best to use as much of it as possible. Perhaps you may need to reapply the pesticide in the future, so it’s worth keeping? If you absolutely can’t use another application, check if anyone else you know can use the leftovers.
3. Don’t toss out your leftovers
If you can't use up the leftover product, DON’T throw it on the ground, down the sink, or into a toilet or drain. Municipal waterways are not built to deal with pesticide contamination. If they get into these waterways they will cause harm to fish, plants and the environment and also communities living along waterways.
4. Read the label to find out how to safely dispose of the pesticide
This will be different for every pesticide, so you can’t assume you know what to do based on a previous chemical you have used. You may need to take the pesticide container and leftovers to a specific site, or you may be able to dispose of it safely yourself. If the product is missing its label for some reason, you can look the information up online using the product name, or contact the manufacturers to find out how to safely dispose of the container and its contents.
5. If you need to take the pesticide containers to a special waste disposal site, be careful when you transport them
Some pesticides require you to drop off empty containers (and any leftovers) at a special waste disposal site. If this is the case for your product, line the storage area in your vehicle with plastic just in case there are any leaks, and pack the containers carefully so they can't tip over. Keep the containers away from any of your personal groceries and be sure to drive carefully.
6. If the label instructs you to clean the containers yourself, use the triple rinse technique
The best way to clean empty drums, cans and bottles is to use the triple rinse technique. Follow the details outlined in the next few steps.
7. Wear protective equipment
First, make sure you are wearing protective equipment. That includes heavy-duty gloves, a mask, overalls or old clothes, and eye protection if possible.
8. Get an empty spray bottle
Next, get a spray bottle into which you will pour any excess pesticide. You will later be able to use up this pesticide instead of throwing it away.
9. Rinse
Fill the pesticide container one-quarter full of water, then seal the container well with its lid. Double-check that you have closed the lid properly. Then shake the container thoroughly for 30 seconds. Open the lid and pour the shaken water into your spray bottle. That’s one rinse done.
10. Rinse again
Fill the pesticide container one-quarter full of water again, seal and shake. Pour the liquid into the spray bottle.
11. And rinse one more time
Now repeat for the last time: fill the pesticide container one quarter full of water again, seal and shake. Pour the liquid into the spray bottle.
12. Rinse the outside of the container
Carefully rinse the outside of the pesticide container with water, using a bucket to catch the rinse water. Then pour the water from the bucket into the spray bottle.
13. Use up the diluted mixture in the spray bottle
Now you can store the spray bottle with its diluted pesticide in a safe place, so it can be used in the future for its intended purpose (e.g. to spray on plants or to treat household surfaces). Don’t worry if it’s more dilute than the original concentration – it’s still better to use up all the dregs rather than throwing them away.
14. Throw away or recycle rinsed containers
Now you can throw away the rinsed container, or recycle it if it has been thoroughly rinsed and the label states that this is safe. Never reuse old pesticide containers for other purposes.
15. Puncture drums or tubs, but NOT aerosol containers
It is a good idea to puncture drums or plastic tubs to prevent other people from reusing them in ignorance (for example, if you throw them away and they are then taken out from the landfill). However, make sure that you never puncture a pressurized or aerosol container – it could explode and cause a lot of damage!
Pesticides are really important tools for
pest prevention you can use to get rid of unwanted pests in your home or garden. However, it is really important to use them responsibly so that they don’t end up poisoning the environment. Let’s all make an effort to be responsible pesticide users!