Dispose Pesticide Containers Properly

Properly cleaned pesticide containers may be disposed of in an approved landfill. Most clean plastic pesticide containers can be recycled. Even though plastic caps and label sleeves will not be recycled, leave them on until they are accepted.

Properly Rinse Containers

Since rinsing containers is mandated by law, the pesticide label will give directions for the proper rinsing procedure. There generally are two accepted methods: triple rinsing and pressure rinsing. Studies have shown that proper, triple rinsing or pressure rinsing will remove over 99% of the pesticide residue in the container. A properly cleaned container should have no residue remaining on the inside or outside of the container. Be sure to carefully inspect the threads, handles, and in some cases the area under the plastic label sleeve for residues.

Triple Rinse

• Empty the container and let it drain into the sprayer for 30 seconds.
• Fill the empty container about 1/5 full of water and replace the cap securely.
• Shake adequately to rinse all areas of container.
• Pay special attention to the hollow handle on most containers.
• Pour the rinsate into the sprayer, and let it drain for 30 seconds.
• Repeat rinsing twice more.
• Inspect the container. If there is pesticide residue remaining, continue rinsing until it is clean.

Pressure Rinsing

• Use a special nozzle attached to an adequate water source, such as a garden hose, to spray the inside of the pesticide container. If you are mixing pesticides in the field, you may consider plumbing a garden hose into the discharge side of your water supply pump.
• Puncture the side of the container with the pointed nozzle.
• Hold the container over the sprayer tank to allow rinsate to run into the tank.
• Turn the pressure rinse nozzle on and rotate to insure that all inside surfaces of the container have been rinsed. Rinsing times may vary with the manufacturer's instructions, but 30 seconds is common.
• Let containers drain and inspect to be sure they are clean; if containers are not clean, repeat rinsing.

Wear Gloves

Precautionary statements on pesticide labels state if chemically resistant gloves are needed. Wearing the right kind of gloves and caring for them properly can protect your hands from contamination whenever you work with pesticides. Cotton, canvas, and leather gloves are easily penetrated and hard to clean so they are not recommended for work with pesticides. Chemically resistant gloves are made with different rubbers. If the material is not resistant to your pesticide, you will probably notice some glove damage right away. If so, discard them and try a different glove material.

Care For Your Gloves

• Read your pesticide label's precautionary statements regarding glove use.
• Choose glove materials considering both the pesticide's active ingredient and formulation.
• Always keep several pairs of clean gloves handy.
• Keep contaminated gloves stored safely until cleaning or disposal.
• Avoid leaving used gloves on the floor of your pick-up truck or in places where family members might touch them.
• Replace gloves frequently.
• Wash gloves exposed to chemicals daily in hot water and detergent.