WHY TRIPLE RINSING? AGROCHEMICAL CONTAINERS

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1 WHY TRIPLE RINSING? AGROCHEMICAL CONTAINERS What do you do with the empty agrochemical containers after you have finished your agrochemical application? No matter how an empty pesticide container is disposed of, it must be properly rinsed. Unrinsed agrochemical containers are not really clean. They may still hold about 1% of the original amount of agrochemical. Although this figure sounds low, the agrochemical that remains in an unrinsed container still remains a potential hazard to humans, animals, and the environment. Inappropriate disposal of empty crop protection product containers can lead to health risks for humans and livestock as well as causing environmental pollution. However, most empty pesticide containers can be rinsed. Proper rinsing of agrochemical containers reduces a potential source of contamination of soil, surface, and ground water and removes a potential source of agrochemical exposure to people, animals, and wildlife. Agrochemical containers must be triple rinsed immediately after use. Proper rinsed agrochemical containers are classified as non-hazardous. Why is rinsing important? Environmentally: It helps prevent potential problems with unrinsed containers, rinsate storage, and agrochemical wastes. Properly rinsed containers are classified as clean, solid waste. New ecological and economical ways for their disposal are available. Agricultural practice: Rinsing empty containers is a good, sound farming practice. Economically: It improves the return on your investment, as all the agrochemical quantity is utilized. Legislative: It is required by law.

2 WHAT IS TRIPLE-RINSING? Triple-Rinsing is a 3-stage manual rinsing process that has been proven as the best method for cleaning empty agrochemical containers. Triple- Rinsing means rinsing the container three times. Triple-rinsing can be used with plastic, nonpressurized metal, and glass containers. Where do rinsed containers go after triple rinsing? Before containers can be accepted from the management scheme, they must be rinsed of all residues after use. Only dry, residue-free rinsed containers are accepted at the specified collection sites. AGROCHEPACK project personnel will inspect containers to determine if they have been properly rinsed. The collected clean containers are classified according to their chemical composition. There are two options for the final disposal of the agrochemical packaging. The best option is the recycling industry that uses the containers as recycling material. A second option is the channeling of the rinsed containers as a fuel for energy recovery to the industry. Paper and Cardboard Containers Paper or cardboard containers are often rigid enough to withstand rinsing. If it is possible, triple rinse these containers.

3 ARE YOU TRAINED FOR TRIPLE-RINSING? Remember To follow all the given instructions. To start the triple-rinsing immediately after the emptying of the agrochemical. To check the container after you have finished rinsing. Make sure that the inside surfaces of the container are well rinsed. To wear appropriate protective clothing and personal protective equipment when working with agrochemicals. Empty containers should never be re-used. The triple-rinsed containers are handed to the responsible employer who disposes them in a special designed secure storage area. To ensure safety, the following should be available to pesticide container depot employees. Wash water and soap First-aid equipment and eye wash station Telephone for contacting emergency personnel Spill containment powder Trainers Notes - Practical aids: 1. Demonstrate triple rinsing. 2. Have examples of different types of packaging, good and bad examples and a range of different packaging materials. 3. Explain the differences between packaging.

4 GUIDELINES FOR TRIPLE RINSING AGROCHEMICAL CONTAINERS There are specific guidelines that must be followed to triple-rinse agrochemical containers properly. The following guidelines are suitable for three main categories of agrochemical containers: a) Small containers up to 20lt, because larger containers are too heavy to lift and shake. b) Big containers - Drums c) Plastic bags containing solid agrochemicals (Granules and Wettable Powder)

5 HOW TO TRIPLE RINSE? Guidelines for small containers 1. Shake well and open the container but don t remove the sealant from the container. Empty contents of container into spray tank, turning the container so that any product trapped in the handle is allowed to flow out. Once flow is down to a drip, allow the container to drain for an additional 30 seconds. Immediately begin rinsing procedures or the product may become difficult to remove. 2. Fill the empty container until it is approximately one third (1/3) full of clean water. 3. Replace the cap on the container. With the container opening facing left, shake the container left to right (side to side) over a distance of 10 to 15 cm. Shake the container about twice per second for 30 seconds, making sure that all the inner surfaces of the container are well rinsed. 4. Drain rinse water into spray tank so that it forms part of the spray mix as previously described. 5. Fill the empty container 1/3 full of clean water a second time. 6. Recap the container. With the opening of the container pointed towards the ground, shake the container up and down as described before. Then drain the rinse water into the spray tank. 7. Finally, fill the empty container 1/3 full once more with clean water. 8. Recap the container. With the container in the normal, upright position, shake the container side to side as described before. 9. Pour the rinse water into the spray tank. If the rinse water is still coloured or milky after three rinses, then repeat the rinsing process until the rinse water is clear. 10. Lowering the water flow so as not to splash water, carefully rinse residue from the outside and the cap of the container over spray tank opening.

6 HOW TO TRIPLE RINSE? Guidelines for large containers - drums The procedures for rinsing drums may require two people. 1. Empty drum to the lowest possible level. Immediately begin rinsing procedures or the product may become difficult to remove 2. Fill drum with water to 25% of capacity. Replace and tighten bungs. 3. Tip drum on to its side and roll it back and forth, ensuring at least one complete revolution, for 30 seconds. 4. Stand the drum on its end and tip it back and forth several times to rinse the corners. 5. Turn the drum over on to its other end and repeat this procedure. 6. Carefully empty rinse water into the spray tank. 7. Repeat this procedure two more times. 8. Carefully rinse cap over spray tank opening and then dispose of appropriately as regular solid waste. Alternatively, the drums are not triple rinsed and so they are characterized as hazardous waste; their management follows the relevant hazardous waste procedures.

7 HOW TO DECONTAMINATE? Guidelines for plastic bags containing solid agrochemicals ATTENTION! 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. Rinsing plastic bags is not necessary. Shaking empty plastic bags well above the spray tank opening is also effective, simpler and more secure. To properly decontaminate plastic bags of solid agrochemicals the following guidelines must be followed. 1. Use gloves 2. Empty carefully the agrochemical in the spray tank. 3. Shake gently the bag over the opening of the spray tank in order to make sure that all the agrochemical has been removed. 4. In cases of contents that are not removed by shaking, apply the triple rinsing method carefully