Disposing of Home & Garden Pesticides |
Disinfectants: Disposal technique depends on the main ingredient. Read the label.
Old Home Products: Products labeled 'germ proofing' or 'germ proofs' or products with chlorophenol ingredients should be carefully packaged in plastic and saved for a household hazardous waste program.
Recently Purchased Home Disinfectants: Share with a neighbor, friend or civic group. If the product is a bathroom cleaner, it can be flushed down the drain with plenty of water. Evaporate if an organic solvent is present. Common solvents are: carbon tetrachloride (old products), chlorinated solvents, methylene chloride, mineral spirits, petroleum distillates, toluene, trichlorethane.
Industrial Strength Disinfectants: Share or package and save for a household hazardous waste collection program.
Mothballs & Flakes: Share or evaporate if practical. Small quantities of mothballs can be evaporated in the open air in a secure place away from children or pets. If these disposal options are not possible, wrap in plastic and save for a household hazardous waste collection program.
No-Pest Strips: Use up, share or wrap and save for a household hazardous waste collection program. Buy in small quantities as necessary. Used strips can be wrapped in newspaper and disposed of in municipal garbage collection.
Pesticide Containers: Triple rinse empty glass, plastic or metal pesticide containers before disposal. Add the rinse water to your spray mixture and apply it to needed sites. Carefully wrap empty paper or foil containers to protect sanitary landfill workers. Dispose of rinsed of wrapped containers in the trash.
Pesticides for General Use: Use up or share. To share general-use pesticides, they should be recently purchased and in their original containers with legible labels. Containers should be at least one-third full. Liquid pesticides which have separated over the winter can still be used by remixing the product before using. Dispose of leftover general-use pesticides by using them or sharing them with someone who can use the product. If you cannot use them up this way, follow the recommended storage procedures. Take them to a household hazardous waste collection program if the community announces one or contact your district DNR office to learn if a collection program has been announced for a community near you.
Pet Collars, Powders & Shampoos: Use up, share or wrap & save for a household hazardous waste collection program. To avoid excess, buy in small quantities as necessary. Used or empty products can be wrapped in newspaper and disposed in municipal garbage collection.
Restricted or Banned Pesticides: Because of their restricted-use classification, do not use or share these pesticides. Instead, package them and save for a household hazardous waste collection program. Refer to the waste pesticide storage procedures on the box.
Wood Preservatives: Wood preservatives are chemicals used to kill or repel the pests which cause wood decay and therefore are technically classified as pesticides. Depending on product description, follow advice below. Read label to verify main ingredient.
Metal Based (such as copper or zinc naphthenate): Use up, share or save for a household hazardous waste collection program. Human and environmental impact of these preservatives is not fully understood but he product should be treated as a pesticide. In other words, as a hazard to human and environmental health.
Pentachloropehnol (PCP or penta): Do not use. Avoid all exposure. Do not attempt to dispose. PCP presents severe human and environmental health hazards. At present there is no acceptable means of disposal. If you have some of this product, package it carefully to prevent spills and save for an EPA-sponsored PCP collection program.