How Do I Dispose of an Empty Pesticide Container?
go.ncsu.edu/readext?419074
en Español / em Português
El inglés es el idioma de control de esta página. En la medida en que haya algún conflicto entre la traducción al inglés y la traducción, el inglés prevalece.
Al hacer clic en el enlace de traducción se activa un servicio de traducción gratuito para convertir la página al español. Al igual que con cualquier traducción por Internet, la conversión no es sensible al contexto y puede que no traduzca el texto en su significado original. NC State Extension no garantiza la exactitud del texto traducido. Por favor, tenga en cuenta que algunas aplicaciones y/o servicios pueden no funcionar como se espera cuando se traducen.
Português
Inglês é o idioma de controle desta página. Na medida que haja algum conflito entre o texto original em Inglês e a tradução, o Inglês prevalece.
Ao clicar no link de tradução, um serviço gratuito de tradução será ativado para converter a página para o Português. Como em qualquer tradução pela internet, a conversão não é sensivel ao contexto e pode não ocorrer a tradução para o significado orginal. O serviço de Extensão da Carolina do Norte (NC State Extension) não garante a exatidão do texto traduzido. Por favor, observe que algumas funções ou serviços podem não funcionar como esperado após a tradução.
English
English is the controlling language of this page. To the extent there is any conflict between the English text and the translation, English controls.
Clicking on the translation link activates a free translation service to convert the page to Spanish. As with any Internet translation, the conversion is not context-sensitive and may not translate the text to its original meaning. NC State Extension does not guarantee the accuracy of the translated text. Please note that some applications and/or services may not function as expected when translated.
Collapse ▲Now that we are in the middle of a busy gardening season, you may find yourself with a couple of empty containers of weed killer or insect spray, and wondering what is a safe way to dispose of them.
The answer is actually quite simple. Once they are empty, you can dispose of them with your household trash.
For any container that held a concentrated pesticide (i.e. one that you mixed with water in your own sprayer), first make sure that it is thoroughly rinsed out. Note, however, that the rinse water should be poured into the sprayer and then sprayed out as if you were making an actual application. Thus, for example, the rinse water from a bottle of weed killer should be sprayed out onto a weedy area.
You might think that sending them to a landfill is not very environmentally friendly. Yes, we do have recycling programs for empty pesticide containers, but those programs are designed for farmers and commercial pesticide applicators that may have dozens of large empty containers. Under no circumstance should empty pesticide containers be placed in your household recycling bin with soda bottles and soup cans.
A better way to lessen your environmental impact is to buy pesticides only when you really need them, and only the amount you need. Buying small containers may cost more per ounce, but is often a better value all things considered.
For containers that have product in them that you no longer need, there are basically three options:
1. Use it up according to the instructions.
2. Carry it to a local household hazardous waste event or location, if offered by your local government (many do not).
3. Take it to a Pesticide Disposal Day offered by the NC Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services. These are conducted in each NC county once every two years. See a schedule of upcoming collection days, or call your County Extension Center.
Note that disposal recommendations may vary slightly from product to product, and you should always follow any disposal instructions provided on the product label.