The University of Georgia College of Agricultural
and Environmental Sciences
Cooperative Extension Service
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Paul Guillebeau, ExtensionEntomologist
Mark Risse, Extension Biological and Agricultural Engineer
Agricultural producers increasingly discover pesticides that cannot be used. The registration may have been canceled, the pesticide unidentifiable or the products unusable, having become solidified or separated.
It is NOT illegal to possess canceled or unusable pesticides if they are properly stored but it is illegal to use canceled pesticides. Handle all pesticides
safely or you may be subject to fines and/or clean-up costs if they leak and contaminate soil, water or other resources.
Disposal of unwanted pesticides can be difficult and expensive. It is illegal to bury, burn or dump any pesticide. Agricultural pesticides cannot be deposited in your local landfill. If you have pesticides you no longer want and they are legal to use, offer them to a neighbor. Your county agent, chemical dealer or grower association may be able to help you identify someone who can use the pesticides.
Try to avoid pesticide wastes. Buy only the amount of pesticide you will need in the immediate future and use your older pesticides first. Keep track of your inventory. This practice prevents pesticides from going out-of-date before you use them and you will minimize the hazards from storing pesticides.
Pesticides that cannot be legally used must be disposed of as hazardous wastes. If you are a Georgia agricultural producer with waste pesticides, you have three options:
If the pesticide registration was recently canceled there may be a recall program. The pesticide registrant or a government agency may collect the pesticide for disposal. Your county extension office will have information about pesticides eligible for recall programs.
Some companies dispose of hazardous wastes for a fee. Call the Georgia Department of Agriculture (404-656-4958) or the Environ-mental Protection Division (404-657-8831) for the names of experienced disposal businesses.
If you decide to hire a disposal company, contact several different reliable firms.
The Georgia Department of Agriculture and the University of Georgia Cooperative Extension Service, with support from the Georgia Crop Production Alliance and the Georgia Farm Bureau, have established a pilot program to help Georgia farmers dispose of unwanted pesticides at little or no cost. Called Georgia Clean Day, the program has been very successful, disposing of more than 100 tons of waste pesticides since 1994. The program was greatly expanded in 1998, with funding from the Georgia Legislature.
Store your pesticide wastes securely and inquire about programs in your area by checking with your county extension office or the Georgia Department of Agriculture.
Whichever option you choose, follow these guidelines to safely store and dispose of waste pesticides.
Inventory all pesticides. Look in areas where pesticides may have been misplaced or forgotten and keep a written list. Out of sight, out of mind, is commonly associated with pesticide storage. Inspect your inventory for pesticides that cannot be used. Secure all labels with tape. Correct identification of pesticides can be important for proper disposal.
Try to identify any unlabeled products. Clearly label the pesticides that you can identify. If you cannot identify the contents, label the container "Unknown Pesticide."
Check the condition of the waste pesticide containers. Look for rusted or brittle areas and small leaks along the container seams. Paper containers may have weak places or holes, particularly if the containers have been wet. Place leaking containers in an over-packing or storage drum. The drum should be metal or plastic in good condition. Place some absorbent material (e.g., cat litter or sand) in the bottom of the drum to absorb pesticide that may leak from the damaged container. Dry pesticide products can be placed in heavy-duty trash bags. Label each new container with the pesticide name.
Avoid accidental use of the waste pesticides. Clearly label all containers and over-pack drums. Always store waste pesticides separately from usable products. Alert all employees to the location of the waste pesticide storage area and instruct them not to use waste pesticides.
Store all pesticides securely. Lock them away if possible to prevent access to children or irresponsible people. Post signs that clearly indicate there are pesticides stored inside.
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Recycling or proper disposal of pesticide containers requires proper cleaning. Shake pesticide bags clean and take them to a sanitary landfill. Plastic, metal, glass and some paper containers can be pressure-rinsed or triple rinsed. It is illegal to burn or bury these materials.
Recycle containers if possible. Many counties have a free container recycling program for plastic pesticide jugs. Contact your county extension office for details.
Properly-cleaned pesticide containers can be disposed of in a sanitary landfill. Check with local landfills to see if they can accept clean, empty pesticide containers. Containers placed in landfills must be punctured to prevent reuse.
Store empty containers properly. Keep empty containers out of the rain and secure them from children and animals. Do not allow large numbers of containers to accumulate. Routinely take them for recycling or landfill disposal. The extension service has several publications that include designs for pesticide storage and handling facilities.
Cleaning up pesticide spills results in clean-up materials contaminated with pesticides. Dispose of these contaminated materials properly. These guidelines will help:
Plan for spills. Mix/load pesticides in an area where spilled pesticides can be contained. You may be able to use the spilled pesticide as you planned. Be
sure to have clean-up materials on hand.
Apply contaminated materials to use sites permitted by the label. Cat litter, sand, wash water from pesticide clean-up or other materials used to absorb pesticides can be applied to permitted use sites. Do not exceed labeled rates. Be aware that bleach or other cleaning agents may injure plants.
Thoroughly rinse contaminated gloves or shoe covers. Properly-rinsed protective clothing can be placed in a sanitary landfill. The rinse water may be applied to labeled use sites or used in the next tank of that pesticide.
Measure and calibrate carefully. Mix only the amount of pesticide needed.
Rinse equipment only when necessary. Rinse water can be used to dilute the next pesticide mix if you will not exceed labeled application rates. Never discharge the water on the ground or into storm drains, sewer systems, septic tanks, waterways, etc.
Apply leftover pesticide mix or pesticide rinse water to labeled use sites. Follow all directions on the pesticide labeling. Do not exceed labeled rates.
Do Not Create Pesticide Wastes!
Buy only the amount of pesticide that you will need for immediate use. This practice prevents pesticides from going out-of-date before you use them and you minimize hazards associated with pesticide storage.
If you have any questions about the information contained in this brochure please contact your county extension office.
The University of Georgia and Ft. Valley State University, the U.S. Department of Agriculture and counties of the state cooperating. The Cooperative Extension Service offers educational programs, assistance and materials to all people without regard to race, color, national origin, age, sex or disability.
An equal opportunity/affirmative action organization committed to a diverse work force.
Issued in furtherance of Cooperative Extension work, Acts of May 8 and June 30, 1914, The University of Georgia College of Agricultural and Environmental Sciences and the U.S. Department of Agriculture cooperating.
Gale A. Buchanan, Dean and Director
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