How To Dispose Of Lawn Chemicals

Tips To Reduce Household Hazardous Waste

Use a non-hazardous alternative:

• Environmentally friendly and safer alternatives are available for household cleaning, home improvement and garden care

Be a wise consumer:

• If you must purchase a hazardous product, buy only the amount you can use up. Avoid larger quantity, bulk purchases if you dont need a lot.

Read labels:

• Ensure that the product you purchase does what you want it to do before you purchase it. Once purchased, follow the instructions on the label for safe use, ventilation and storage.

Give leftover hazardous products to someone who can use them:

• Relatives, friends, neighbours, community groups and charitable organizations may be able to use some of what you no longer need.

Avoid aerosols whenever possible:

• Much of the aerosol product ends up in the air. Purchase safer alternatives.

How To Dispose Of Old Garden Chemicals

Old, expired, or withdrawn garden chemicals should be dropped off at the local household hazardous waste collection center. Heres is how to go about it:

Step 1: Call the local waste management or environmental agency to find out where and when you can drop off pest and weed control chemicals.

Step 2: Read and follow the disposal instructions on the label.

Step 3: Ensure the containers are sealed properly and have their labels intact. Do not mix different chemicals.

Step 4: Place the containers on a liner and take precautions to ensure they wont shift or spill during transportation. Alternatively, you can arrange the chemicals in a plastic bin.

Step 5: Take care not to place the chemicals in a passenger compartment or near foodstuff.

Step 6: Drive straight to the collection facility and hand over the chemicals.

What Can I Recycle

Recycling is simple and convenient in South Carolina.

Each of the state’s 46 counties has a residential recycling program. Overall, there are 60-plus curbside programs, nearly 600 drop-off centers and more than 900 collection sites for do-it-yourself oil changers.

Almost all recycling programs accept aluminum and steel cans, plastic bottles, paper and cardboard. The items listed below also can be recycled, but residents must check with their county recycling coordinator to find out if the material is accepted or what other options are available.

Visit RecycleHereSC for more information on recycling in your area.

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Why Do We Need Proper Pesticide Storage And Disposal

Pesticides contain a toxic brew of chemicals that are intended to kill living creatures. As such, they have the capacity to do harm to unintended victims and may be dangerous to children, pets, wild animals, fish and invertebrates. Some chemicals can also do harm to a septic system and are carried far in storm drains and underground streams, spreading their dangers as they go. Careful pesticide disposal methods are keys to confining harm and enhancing the environment.

Disposing unused pesticides by simply pouring out excess into the drain and then throwing out the container starts a problem that goes through our treatment systems, natural waterways and ambient environment. The poisons are still active when you dispose of them in this manner and they can pollute the entire system as they go through.

The container may only have one millionth of a percent of chemical left in it, but it is still a toxic chemical for small organisms in this amount. Every little bit that is rinsed into our treatment systems adds up incrementally until the entire structure is contaminated. Over time, it gets difficult to manage these increasing levels of contamination and the contagion will spill over outside the structure of disposal that humans use into the natural environment.

How Should You Dispose Of Empty Herbicide Containers

Empty pesticide containers that formerly had condensed liquids should be washed three times, with the washings being added to the final spray solution. After that, the empty container should be disposed of in the kitchen waste.

Following the results of a Defra research initiative and study on the disposal of pesticide containers, empty bottles that used to contain ready-to-use materials can be recycled. Nota bene, this should not refer to containers with concentrated products.

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What Is A Hazardous Waste

A waste is hazardous if it has these types of characteristics:

• Ignitable: wastes that are flammable or spontaneously combustible. If they have a flashpoint of less than 140°F or an alcohol content of 24% or more, they are hazardous wastes.

• Corrosive: wastes that can burn the skin or corrode metal. Liquids with a pH of 2 or lower or 12.5 or higher are corrosive.

• Reactive: wastes that are unstable and may explode or react violently with water or other materials.

• Toxic: wastes that contain certain heavy metals above specific concentrations, such as chromium, lead, or cadmium, or toxic organic chemicals.

How To Dispose Of Extra Weed Killers After Using Them

Avoid having an excessive amount of solution. Fill a watering jug rather than diluting it in the drain or with a hosepipe while preparing solutions from concentrates. Prepare less solvent than you feel is required, as it is much simpler to make more than it is to locate additional places to apply the excess product.

If there is some product remaining after spraying, you may need to locate a patch of approved plants/weeds to spray it into. Excess solution can never be dumped down the toilet or into fresh soil since this contributes to the accumulation of chemical contaminants in groundwater.

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Avoid Making Excess Solution

When making up solutions from concentrates fill a watering can or jug rather than diluting in the sink or with the use of a hose pipe. Make up less solution than you believe is required, as it is far easier to mix up more than it is to find additional areas to apply excess spray to.

If you do find you have left over solution after spraying, you will have to find a patch of permitted plants or weeds to spray the excess onto. Excess solution should never be poured down the drain or onto bare soil, as it will contribute to the build up of chemical residues in the ground water.

What Is Hazardous Waste

The EPA defines any waste that can have a harmful effect on the environment or on human health as hazardous.

In general, if the packaging or label on a product lists words such as toxic, volatile, combustible, poison, corrosive, or harmful, its likely something you shouldnt put in your trash.

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Thank You For Your Efforts

In 2020, you helped divert more than 698 tonnes of hazardous waste from the landfill, including the following items:

• 58,000 CFL light bulbs and fluorescent tubes
• 12 tonnes of household batteries
• 20 tonnes of aerosols
• 600 kg of sharps and needles
• 1.5 tonnes of pharmaceuticals

Household hazardous waste depots make a difference!

Getting Rid Of Leftover Pesticides Safely

If your area doesnt have a convenient hazardous waste collection site, you can store it in a cool dark location, tightly closed until you can get to one. If the chemical is gone, you can clean out the container for disposal by following these steps:

Rinse the container 3 times and use the mixture in a sprayer on areas listed as safe on the label.Follow the application precautions and methods.If you absolutely cannot use any of the listed pesticide disposal methods, try asking a neighbor or friend if they have the pests listed on the container and can use up any solution.

It is important to your health and the health of the planet that safe means are used when getting rid of leftover pesticides. These methods will protect you and your family as well as the marvelous world in which we live.

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City Of Portland Single Sort Recycling

DO NOT PLACE A CITY TRASH BAG IN THE BLUE RECYCLE CART. LOOSE RECYCLING ONLY IN THE BLUE CART.

Please visit the Trash and Recycling Collection Web App to find the what day of the week your trash and recycling is collected. For first time here? Check out the Trash and Recycling Collection App User Guide, how to document.

For additional question regarding trash and recycling collection day, please contact Department of Public Works at 207-756-8011.

All Weekly Trash and Recycling Pickup is subject to change due to City Holidays, Construction, Special Events, Inclement Weather, and Natural Disasters. Please refer to the City of Portlands Website for future updates.

How To Safely Dispose Of Hazardous Waste In Boulder County

If you just want to get rid of your hazardous waste, the best catch-all solution is to take it to the Boulder County Hazardous Materials Management Facility.

For residents of Boulder County, Erie, and Broomfield, its free to take hazardous waste to the Boulder County HMM Facility, so take advantage of it!

Youll find the Boulder County HMM Facility at:

West of Boulder County Recycling Center1901 63rd St Boulder, CO 80301Hours: 8:30 a.m. 4 p.m. Wed-Sat.Phone: 720-564-2251 | Email: Website: bouldercounty.org/environment/hazardous-wasteNote: Check their website or contact HMM to make sure their hours are as listed.

If its tough to find time to visit the HMM Facility, you may be in luck. Broomfield, Longmont, and Superior all hold regular hazardous waste collection days, at least once a year, giving you a chance to conveniently and safely dispose of your household hazardous items.

You can get information about the next hazardous waste pick-up date in your area on your local citys website.

• Cellphones for Soldiers

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How Do I Know If A Container Is Empty

An empty chemical container is, by EPA definition, one in which all the liquid or materials has been removed through normal mean of emptying a container via pouring, pumping or aspirating. Liquid containers must not have one last drop in them. Containers which have held solid and semi-solid hazardous material are only considered empty if any residual content cannot be removed by scraping or chipping.

How To Safely Dispose Of Gardening Chemicals

Safely dispose chemicals used to control weeds, pests and other outdoor nuisances, for free at a household hazardous waste drop-off site:

• Designated fire station
• If you bring with other garbage, landfill charges will apply.

Hazardous outdoor chemicals include:

• Any container with a hazard symbol on it

Special instructions

• Use original containers where possible, or use a sealed, spill-proof container and make sure it is clearly labelled.
• You can bring up to 20 litres of household chemicals per week.
• Never flush chemicals down your toilet, sink or drain as they harm the environment and/or the pipes in your home.

Locations and hours are listed below:

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What Inspectors Look For

• Mystery drums. All drums must be labeled and have a “birth date” on them .

• Drums that are left open. Evaporation of wastes can create a hazard. If you are not in the process of adding wastes to a drum, keep it closed.

• Old drums left outside. If they get stormwater inside them, you will be responsible for sampling the stormwater to determine whether the water is hazardous. Ensure that the person who sold you the drum and its contents will take the drum back when you are done with it .

• Dumpsters. Inspectors will look into them.

• Spills. These should be cleaned up immediately after they occur.

• The inspector will walk the entire property and property’s perimeter looking for orphan drums and signs of distressed/dead vegetation.

• The most common violation is the non-determination of whether something is a waste.

How To Dispose Of Weed Killers

Pesticides are formulated to be poisonous to the pests they are intended to control. When applied correctly, pesticides will help protect your plants and a house. However, if label directions are not followed precisely, plant injury may happen, pests may remain uncontrollable, human health may be compromised, and pesticides may lead to soil, air, or water contamination. Herbicide chemicals can often have a harmful effect on the ecosystem once they reach rivers.

• How to store weed killers properly?

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How To Safely Dispose Of Chemical Waste

• Written by on Apr 11, 2010To ensure our content is always up-to-date with current information, best practices, and professional advice, articles are routinely reviewed by industry experts with years of hands-on experience.Reviewed by

Chemical waste is likely not something you think about often, but you can probably find it all over your house. It’s in your cleaning supplies, your cosmetics, your medications and your lawn care supplies. When these items need to be disposed of, it would be environmentally hazardous to just put them out with your garbage or pour them down your drain. Take these steps to safely and legally dispose of chemicals in your household.

Step 1 – Identify Local Agencies and Companies

The Federal Resource Conservation Recovery Act contains the regulations currently governing waste disposal. The Environmental Protection Agency enforces these regulations. Chemicals are classified based on their composition and level of hazard, and each classification has specific rules as to how to dispose of those chemicals.

The EPA has listings of these harmful chemicals on its Web site, epa.gov, that you can use to identify your chemical and learn of any rules regarding its disposal. Alternatively, you may call an EPA office in your state.

Step 2 – Contain and Label Your Chemical

Step 3 – Transport Your Chemical Waste to an Approved Location

Household Hazardous Waste Drop

Did you know there are household hazardous waste drop-off locations where you can dispose of chemicals, paint or other dangerous products?

Before you drop off items, make sure they are stored, labelled, and sealed properly.

These household hazardous waste materials can pose a danger to our workers, your family, your pets, your neighbourhood and the environment.

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Recycling And Disposal Of Pesticides And Weed Killer

Pesticides, herbicides, and fungicides, all end in the suffix cide, which in Latin means killer. Fungicides and herbicides are simply forms of pesticide. The pesticide term is often commonly refereed to as bug killer. These substances eliminate things like ants and grubs. Fungicides and herbicides are often called weed killer. They kill plant pests like fungi, weeds, and non native or invasive plants. Each of these are potentially dangerous to humans, animals, and to the environment. Even products that are low in toxicity, natural, or organic can be harmful if someone comes in contact with large quantities of the substance.

To tell the level of toxicity in the pest control, look on the label. It will either say CAUTION, WARNING, or DANGER. Caution means it has the lowest toxicity, WARNING is medium, and DANGER is the most toxic and requires the most care.

Reducing Hhw In Your Home

Consider reducing your purchase of products that contain hazardous ingredients. Learn about the use of alternative methods or productswithout hazardous ingredientsfor some common household needs. When shopping for items such as multipurpose household cleaners, toilet cleaners, laundry detergent, dish soap, dishwashing machine pods and gels, bug sprays and insect pest control, consider shopping for environmentally friendly, natural products or search online for simple recipes you can use to create your own.

Below are some ideas to get you started. Additional information is available from EPA’s Safer Choice program.

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How To Dispose Of Pesticides

Most municipalities have hazardous waste stations. These collection sites will be able to advise you on correct pesticide storage and disposal. They will also take unused pesticides and destroy them for you in a safe manner. This is the easiest manner of disposing unused pesticides.

You will need to have the chemicals in their original container with the manufacturers label of ingredients. Make sure the items are secured carefully in your vehicle and all lids are firmly closed during transport.

How To Dispose Of Surplus Chemicals

Never dispose of excess chemical or weed killer into drains or waterways. If the disposal is not possible, limited amounts should be diluted and dispersed on approved sites as directed on the bottle. You should avoid spilling chemicals into ponds, watercourses, or ditches and obey label directions for minimizing wildlife damage.

With the recent removal of several garden chemicals, gardeners can find themselves with excess pesticides that they are barred from using. When pesticides are taken off the market for economic considerations, there is typically a two-year grace period within which residual supplies may be used up.

When transporting excess, withdrawn, or expired chemicals to a waste disposal station, make certain the containers are tightly sealed and clearly labeled with the products name and active ingredient. Contrary to popular belief, you should not combine various chemicals.

A few methods to dispose of weed killers safely :

1) Follow the manuals instructions

Check the containers disposal directions. Each Roundup container includes guidance about how to properly dispose of the pesticide. Read the directions thoroughly and obey them to the letter. Often read the label for the pesticides you want to use.

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2) Ask your relatives, friends or neighbors

3) Look for a local solid waste business

4) Transport the herbicides properly

5) Never pour the herbicides down the sink, toilet or drain

Tips for consumers:

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Locate Hazardous Waste Facility

To dispose of your fertilizer properly, you will want to locate a hazardous waste facility. If you do not have a location immediately available, try visiting 1-800-RECYCLING.com to help with suggestions. You can also try to contact any lawn and garden supply shop to see if they will accept fertilizer.