Disposal of Expired Pesticides

Types of Pesticide Waste and How to Dispose of Them

Expired pesticide waste includes empty containers, dilute pesticide waste, ready-to-use formulations and concentrates, and other pesticide waste materials.

Here is how to dispose of the different types of pesticide waste products commonly found among residential and commercial properties.

Type #1: Empty Pesticide Containers

Empty containers are disposed of based on their types. For instance, empty bags may be cleaned and buried in a sanitary landfill as per your authorities’ regulations.

Liquid products containers, such as drums, cans, and bottles, must be cleaned thoroughly through triple or pressure rinsing. After rinsing, you should punch holes in the container to prevent any re-use. Then bury the containers in a sanitary landfill or burn them.

It is crucial to note that the burning of rinsed containers is allowed under these circumstances: If you are the crop owner, if the manufacturer’s label permits it and when the local authority allows the burning.

The following tips will guide you to dispose of various containers.

• Ensure that a non-returnable container is empty before its disposal.
• Containers for concentrates or liquid products should be cleansed before they are disposed of.
• Containers utilised for magnesium, aluminium, hydrogen cyanide, and zinc phosphides should not be cleansed.  This is because these chemicals emit dangerous gases when they come into contact with moisture. Such containers should be disposed of through a certified waste disposal contractor.
• Difficult-to-rinse containers, such as cardboard cartons and paper sacks, should be emptied and disposed of through a licensed waste disposal company. If you are stuck with empty pesticide containers, don’t hesitate to contact us for help. We are one of the leading waste-disposal contractors in the UK.

Type #2: Dilute Pesticide Waste

Safe disposal of dilute pesticide waste is essential to protect human beings, animals, wildlife, and the environment.

Here is how you can dispose of the dilute pesticide waste.

• Dispose of the waste into a sewer through the permission of the company that manages it. In some instances, you may get a permit from the Environment Agency to dispose of special effluent categories.
• The dilute waste disposal may also be done to a lined biobed through a licensed waste-management contractor.
• If you are dealing with agricultural pesticides, you may dispose of the dilute waste onto the soil or grass based on your local authority’s terms. Ensure that the land where you dispose of this waste must absorb the water without flowing. More importantly, secure the area with a fence to keep off people and animals.

If you have diluted pesticide waste and don’t know how to dispose of it, store it in an appropriate container and dispose of it through a licensed waste disposal contractor. You may also contact us if you need help with the disposal of dilute pesticide waste.

Type #3: Pesticide Concentrates and Read-to-Use Formulations

It is dangerous and illegal to store expired pesticides within your premises for an extended period. To be on the safe side, here are the tips on how to dispose of pesticide concentrates.

• Pesticide concentrates are hazardous waste, and it is advisable to dispose of them through a waste-disposal contractor licensed by Environment Agency.
• Before you transfer the concentrates to the disposal contractor, keep them in a secure chemical store to prevent any spills.
• If you are moving the pesticide concentrates for disposal, you must fill in a consignment note upon payment of the Environment Agency’s fee. Additionally, it is advisable to keep the consignment note for three years as proof that you adhered to the legal disposal procedures. Once you get a consignment note, you can handover the concentrates to a certified waste-disposal contractor.
• If you can transport your pesticide concentrates safely, you can take them to a licensed disposal site.

Pesticide concentrates are dangerous, and don’t dispose of them on your own if you cannot do it. For any disposal of pesticide concentrates and ready-to-use formulations, don’t hesitate to contact us for help.

Type #4: Other Pesticide Waste Materials

Pesticide waste materials include contaminated equipment, packaging materials, used protective clothing, and waste emanating from spills and leaks. Based on the prevailing conditions, you may dispose of them personally or through a licensed waste disposal contractor.

If the product label allows you to dispose of the materials, you are free to do it on your own. However, if no guidance is given on the label, don’t hesitate to hire a licensed contractor to handle the task.

Pesticide contaminated materials, such as treated seeds and crop covers, should be disposed of through a licensed waste disposal contractor.

It is critical to follow the product label’s guidance to dispose of dead bodies, pesticide baits, and utilised vertebrate control agents. If there are no disposal instructions on the label, seek advice from a licensed contractor.

It would be best to safely dispose of the pesticide waste materials to minimise any harm to the environment, animals, and human beings. If you are not sure how to dispose of any pesticide waste materials, don’t hesitate to contact us for guidance.

Final Thoughts

Expired pesticide waste can be dangerous to the environment, human, and animals if not correctly disposed of. Note that there are different types of pesticide waste, and each requires a unique approach to be disposed of.  Some of these wastes include empty containers, dilute pesticide waste, and pesticide concentrates.

Before you dispose of any pesticide waste, always read the product label or consult a licensed waste-disposal contractor for directions. You may also seek advice from an approved waste license carrier, especially on regulatory issues.

If you are stuck with any type of pesticide waste, don’t hesitate to seek help from a licensed hazardous cleanup and disposal company such as Ideal Response that deals with the disposal of expired pesticides.