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Pesticide Environmental Stewardship
Promoting Proper Pesticide Use and Handling
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Center for Integrated Pest Management

Disposal Options

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Skip Navigation LinksPesticide Environmental Stewardship > Handling Containers > Disposal Options
Disposal Options
Disposal Options
Carol Ramsay, Washington State University and The Pesticide Stewardship Alliance
  • Ag Container Recycling Council
  • The Pesticide Stewardship Alliance
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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) in locating your local pesticide container recycler.

Photo Credit: Mike Weaver, Virginia Tech, pesticidepics.orgACRC 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 that individuals sign a verification statement indicating the pesticide containers were triple rinsed or equivalent. Photo Credit: www.landfill-site.comFacilities 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.

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