Disposal of Empty Crop Protection Product Containers

1
Disposal of Empty Crop Protection Product
Containers
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Mixing and preparing undiluted products Summary

• Always follow high hygiene standards when working
  with crop protection products.
• Emptied containers must be triple rinsed unless
  using specific mechanised rinsing equipment.
• The rinsate should be used as part of the spray
  solution.
• Washed containers should be punctured to stop
  potential reuse.
• Dispose of washed containers following local best
  practice.
• If burying or burning is allowed ensure that this
  does not cause a risk to the environment, humans
  or livestock.

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Disposal of empty containers

• Inappropriate disposal of empty crop protection
  product containers can lead to health risks for
  both humans and livestock as well as causing
  environmental pollution.
• In many countries the disposal of these
  containers is governed by laws. Not following
  these laws can be a criminal offence.
• Most containers are made of plastics although
  there are still some products sold in glass or
  metal containers.

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Disposal of empty containers cont.
Packaging for disposal may include both the
product containers and an outer container, such
as a cardboard, used to package together several
CPP containers. Packaging should be designed to-

• Reduce the amount of packaging waste
• Minimise handling risks through intelligent
  design (wide neck, crimped off handles, not too
  heavy, closed transfer systems).
• Have smooth internal surface to facilitate
  cleaning (inert and not absorbing)
• Be robust and durable

Formulations are also available to minimise
packaging waste, such as use of tablets, water
soluble sachets, refillable containers.
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Disposal of empty containers cont.

• The disposal of empty pesticide containers is a
  two step process
• Ensure the container is clean, by triple rinsing.
• Dispose of the clean container in a way that
  follows local laws and/or best practice
  guidelines.
• If there is a time gap between steps 1 and 2 then
  the container should
• be kept securely to avoid potential misuse.
• Always maintain high standards of personal
  hygiene
• when cleaning and handling pesticide containers.

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Rinsing containers
There are three types of system employed to rinse
emptied containers. Manual rinsing is typically
used by knapsack sprayer operators whilst, the
other methods are normally associated with
tractor powered sprayers-

• Manual rinsing. This process is described on
  slide 9.
• Pressure rinsing. A hose fitted with a spike -
  containing a nozzle - punctures the bottom of the
  container forcing water into the container,
  washing into the spray tank or sprayer mixing
  bowl.
• Integrated rinsing. The rinsing mechanism is
  usually built onto the sprayers induction bowl
  or closed transfer system but can be an
  independent system. This fast, safe way washes
  containers and minimises the risk of spills. Most
  popular mechanised cleaning method.

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Manual Triple Rinsing of Containers

1. Drain the container
2. Add clean water 25-30 of container capacity
3. Replace cap firmly and shake vigourously for at
   least 30 seconds
4. Empty rinsings into spray tank and drain
   container for 30 seconds
5. Spray the rinsings.

Repeat steps B-D at least twice more (until rinse
water is clear) Wear suitable protective clothing
when rinsing containers.
Comply with local legislation where relevant
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Manual Triple Rinsing of Containers cont.
1. Add clean water to emptied CPP containers
2. Replace cap and shake container. Add washings
to sprayer and repeat twice more
3. Store emptied, cleaned containers, with
tightened caps, upright in secure area ready for
disposal
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Manual Triple Rinsing of Containers cont.
A study by ARC Gembloux showed that triple
rinsing containers with 30 water volume reduced
chemical residues 120 times more efficiently
compared with double rinsing with 20 water
volume. Rinsing water volume is more important
that the amount of time taken shaking the
container.
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Manual Triple Rinsing of Containers cont.

• Studies have shown that triple rinsing not only
  saves product but leaves the containers clean.
• Thorough manual triple rinsing will remove 99.99
  of chemical residues (ECPA 2006).
• Rinsing non solid packaging (normally associated
  with dry formulations) is harder and has a higher
  risk of spillages due to the flimsy nature of the
  packaging.

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Disposal of empty containers
Where ever possible empty, washed containers
should be disposed of through collection and
recycling schemes. Collected containers can be
either-

• Recycled to make plastic products
• Used for power generation (fuel stock for cement
  kilns or power station)
• Destroyed in a high temperature incinerator
  (temperatures above 900degrees C are required to
  ensure efficient burning

In some countries, washed containers can be
disposed of with domestic waste collections. If
this is the case all containers must be punctured
to avoid reuse.
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Disposal of empty containers cont.

• The CropLife International estimate for the
  quantity of pesticide containers distributed in
  2005 is 190,000 tonnes.
• Of this 190,000 around 33,000 tonnes are
  collected (17.3).
• The percent of containers collected varies from
  country to country with high percentages in
  countries that have legal requirements for the
  industry to take control of its waste, Australia,
  Brazil, Canada, France.
• Plastic pesticide container waste constitutes 4
  of plastic waste derived from farms.

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Disposal of empty containers Decision making
flow chart
Disposal of rinsedpackaging Recovery
scheme available?

• Yes
• Hierarchy
• Energy recovery
• Material recycling
• Disposal

No But local municiple waste scheme
meetscriteria Municipal solid waste
No Use on-farm disposal until alternatives can
be developed Bury
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Disposal of empty containers cont.

• On farm disposal -
• This is no longer a recommended method of
  disposal (FAO code of conduct guidelines) but
  where no collection schemes are operating, empty
  washed containers can be burnt or buried
  following local guidelines if local laws permit.
• Burn away from people, livestock and buildings,
  avoid any smoke.
• Bury the ash in a deep pit.
• Bury containers in a deep pit away from wells
  and surface water.

Metal Puncture
Glass crush
Other materials Burn to ash (where legal)
Bury
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Disposal of empty containers cont.

• Burying washed empty containers on farm, if the
  Law permits

• Seek advice from local authorities
• Select a site for the pit that is away from water
  courses and is not going to cause seepage into
  ground and surface and sources of drinking water
• Burial site must be deep enough to ensure animal
  and human activities will not uncover the buried
  waste, minimum of 50cm of soil
• The bottom of the burial pit must be at least 2m
  above the ground water level. Do not bury in
  areas prone to flooding
• Compress the empty containers as much as possible
  before burial.
• Cover layers of contaminated waste with
  bio-degradable household waste to assist
  biological degradation
• The burial pit area must be fenced off and
  clearly signed.
• Once the pit is full, cover with soil and plant
  bushes to avoid the rapid drainage of rain water.

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Disposal of empty containers cont.

• DO -
• Triple rinse containers adding rinsate to the
  spray tank.
• Wear appropriate protective clothing at all
  times.
• Maintain high levels of personal hygiene.
• Pierce or damage containers so that they can not
  be reused.
• Dispose of containers following local best
  practice and regulations.
• As part of product selection look for
  formulations with reduced packaging, such as
  soluble sachets.
• Avoid glass bottles where possible.

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Disposal of empty containers cont.

• Never -
• Discard empty containers in the field, ditches
  or water courses.
• Reuse empty containers for any other purpose.
• Bury, burn or recycle unwashed containers.
• Allow children near pesticide waste.
• Allow containers to accumulate above your safe
  storage capacity.
• Allow container washings to enter any water
  course.

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Questions

1. How do you make empty containers ready for
   disposal?
2. What level of chemical residue is likely after
   triple rinsing?
3. What should you do with the container washings?
4. Which is the best method of disposing of empty
   containers?
5. What other uses can empty containers be used for?
6. What precautions should be followed if using on
   farm disposal?

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Sources of references and further reading

1. http//www.ecpa.eu/files/ecpa/documentslive/14/142
   27_Container20Management20Guidelines.pdf
2. http//www.croplife.org/issue.aspx?issue08c41176-
   1a39-420d-b681-449f7f8bd317activity09927e10-d23f
   -4fc4-99c1-12998754de05wt.cg_nStewardshipwt.cg_
   sStewardship20of20crop20protection20products
   wt.tiContainer20management
3. http//www.pan-ol.lublin.pl/wydawnictwa/TMot3/Huyg
   hebaert.pdf
4. http//www.croplife.org/library/attachments/71a23d
   fb-89a2-4eeb-8d1f-0490237877b2/4/Container_Managem
   ent_Leaflet20(Oct-2004).pdf

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Trainers notes

• Practical aids
• Have examples of different types of packaging,
  good and bad examples and a range of different
  packaging materials. Explain the differences
  between packaging why one is good the other bad
  etc.
• Demonstrate triple rinsing

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Notes to slide 7

• It is important to reduce the hazard of empty
  pesticide containers before disposal. This
  should be done whenever a container is emptied
  during mixing, and is known as triple rinsing.
  The procedure to follow for triple rinsing is
•  
• 1. Drain the remaining pesticide from the
  container for at least 30 seconds into the
  sprayer tank.
•  
• 2. Add clean water to the empty container until
  it is approximately one quarter full.
•  
• 3. Replace the container cap securely, then
  shake the container for about 30 seconds, making
  sure that all the inner surfaces of the container
  are well rinsed (it is recommended to vary the
  shaking movement i.e. side to side, up and down,
  circular motion etc). Large containers may need
  to be rotated or rolled.
• 4. Remove the cap and empty the rinsings into
  the sprayer tank, so that it forms part of the
  spray mix. Allow it to drain for at least 30
  seconds.
•  
• 5. Repeat steps A-D twice more. If the rinse
  water is still coloured or milky after three
  rinses, then repeat the rinsing process until the
  rinse water is clear

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