Vern Hofman and Greg Dahl

Extension Agricultural Engineer and Pesticide Programs Specialist

Proper rinsing of pesticide containers saves money, is easy to do and prevents serious hazards lot people, animals or the environment that may result from unrinsed containers. Only containers that have been properly triple-rinsed or pressure washed can be legally recycled or disposed of properly. Container rinsing may take a little time during a busy season, but it is time well spent.

CONTAINER RINSING

When a pesticide container is emptied, it should he rinsed immediately. Rinsate from the pesticide container should be added to the spray tank so all the pesticide is used for its intended purpose. This eliminates the need to store and dispose of the rinsate. It also eliminates the chance of the pesticide drying inside the container, making it almost impossible to remove. Immediate rinsing of containers eliminates a potential source of exposure to people and animals. Proper rinsing is required by law and is a good environmental practice.

Rinsing of pesticide containers prevents possible contamination of soil and water. When contamination occurs, plants, animals and water supplies may be affected. Preventing contamination is always better than cleanup.

To legally recycle or dispose of a container at a landfill or with a container recycler, only properly rinsed containers can be accepted. Containers that are buried or burned on a private applicator's property must also be rinsed so a potential source of pollution is avoided. Commercial applicators must recycle or dispose of containers at an approved landfill.

EFFECTIVENESS OF RINSING

Proper rinsing of nearly all pesticide containers will remove over 99 percent of any pesticide residue remaining in the container. This should he done immediately after it has been emptied. Table 1 shows efficiency of container rinsing.

Table 1. Percent of pesticide residue remaining after proper rinsing with the different methods.
			Wt. (gm) pure	% o of
		Rinse	pesticide	Original
Pesticide	Container	Method	removed	Contents
Alachlor	5 gal metal	rinser	6.1	<0.1
Chiorpyrifos	2 gal metal	triple	1.0	<0.1
	2 gal metal	rinser	17.5	0.4
Carbofiiian	1 gal plastic	rinser	3.1	0.1
Diaainon	5 gal metal	triple	0.3	<0.1
	1 gal metal	rinser	2.5	0.1
Parathion	2 gal metal	rinser	7.9	0.1
Triflutalin	5 gal metal	triple+l	0.2	<0.1

HOW TO PROPERLY RINSE

Two different rinsing procedures are effective at cleaning pesticide containers: pressure rinsing and triple rinsing.

Pressure Rinsing - The simplest pressure rinser is a nozzle attached to the end of a hose to flush the remaining pesticide from small containers. Other types are available that are capable of rinsing small containers and barrels. A punch type pressure rinser is pictured (Figure 1). Pressure rinsing is usually faster and easier than triple rinsing and can be used with plastic and non-pressurized metal containers. Pressure rinsing is becoming the preferred method due to the use of more water that is directed under pressure against the inside of the container.

How to Pressure Rinse

1. Empty the pesticide into the spray tank and let the container drain for 30 seconds.

2. Insert the pressure rinser nozzle by punching a hole through the lower side or bottom of the pesticide container.

3. Hold the container upside down over the spray tank opening so rinsate will drain into the sprayer tank.

4. Rinse for the length of time recommended by the chemical manufacturer (generally 30 seconds or more). Rock or rotate the nozzle (Figure 2) to rinse all inside surfaces.

5. Inspect the container to be sure it is clean. Chemical may remain in corners, the handle and container opening threads. Also, be sure chemical on the container threads and drips on the outside of containers are removed.

6. Rinse covers separately in a bucket of water and pour rinse water into the spray tank.

7. Put cover back on the container and dispose of according to label directions. If containers are to be recycled, leave the covers off and remove the label. Store rinsed containers in a dry, secure area.

8. Containers (barrels) with the fill opening a short distance from the sidewall do not drain well. This can be corrected by punching a hole next to the sidewall with a hammer and chisel.

Figure 1. Punch type pesticide container rinser.

Figure 2. Pressurized water container rinse nozzle.

Pressure rinsers can be an integral part of a closed chemical handling system. Some chemical suction probes contain a pressure rinser so when a container (barrel) is emptied (Figure 3), the container is rinsed and the rinsate transferred to the spray tank. These units are designed to reduce potential danger of exposure to pesticide handlers.

Triple Rinsing - Triple rinsing is effective if done as recommended by the following procedure. If applicators ignore the last of the three rinses due to the time required, rinsing effectiveness is reduced. This is shown in Table 2.

Residue

Table 2. Pesticide left in a 5-gallon container after rinsing.
	Residue
Stage	Liquid	Pesticide
Empty container	1 oz.	14.1875 grams
Rinse/drain 1	1 oz.	0.2183 grams
Rinse/drain 2	1 oz.	0.0034 grams
Rinse/drain 3	1 oz.	0.00005 grams

HOW TO TRIPLE RINSE

1. Empty the pesticide into the sprayer tank and let the container drain for 30 seconds.

2. Fill the container 10 percent to 20 percent full of water or rinse solution.

3. Put the cover on the container.

4. Swirl the container to rinse all inside surfaces.

5. Add the rinsate to the spray tank and let drain for 30 seconds.

6. Repeat steps 2 through 5 two more times.

7. Inspect the container to be sure it is clean. Chemical may remain in the corners, the handle and container threads. This must be removed. Also, be sure drips on the outside of containers are cleaned off.

8. Put the cover back on the container and dispose of according to label directions. If containers are to be recycled, leave the cover off and store in a dry, secure area.

Figure 3 Suction probe with transfer and rinse system.

REMEMBER

• Read and follow all label instructions.
• Wear appropriate protective clothing when handling pesticides and "empty" containers.
• Never reuse a pesticide container for any purpose.
• Dispose of all pesticide containers properly. Always use a back-flow prevention device when filling sprayer tanks or rinsing pesticide containers.
• Mixing and loading sites should be at least 150 feet away from all water wells. Rinse containers where they will not endanger people, animals or the environment.

If at all possible, deliver empty rinsed containers to a pesticide container recycling center. Used pesticide containers can be used to make new containers or used in other plastic products. This helps save resources and reduces disposal problems that may arise from burning or burying containers.

SOME OF THE INFORMATION FOR THIS PUBLICATION WAS OBTAINED FROM "RINSING PESTICIDE CONTAINERS", MINNESOTA EXTENSION SERVICE, AG-FS-3771.

1. Trask, H W, "Empty Pesticide Container Management: An Overview "Pesticide Waste Disposal Technology, 1985, pp 106-11. Noyes Data Corporation, Park Ridge, NJ

Helping You Put Knowledge To Work

NDSU Extension Service, North Dakota State University of Agriculture and Applied Science. and U.S. Department of Agriculture cooperating. William H. Pietsch, Director, Fargo, North Dikota. Distrtbuted in furtherance of the Acts of Congress of May 8 and June 30. 1914. We offer our programs and facilities to all persons regardless of race, color, national origin, sex, handicap,. age, Vietnam era veterans status, or sexual orientation; and are an equal opportunity employer. 10M-3-93

Names of U.S. and Canadian Fungicides Seed Treatments
COMMON NAME	U.S. TRADE NAME	CANADIAN NAME
Benomyl	Benlate	Benlate
Carbathin, Lindane		Vitavax RS Flowable Powder & Cloak
Carbathin, Thiram, Lindane		Vitavax Dual Powder, Vitavax Dual Solution
Captan + Thiabendazole	Agrosol Flowable
Carboxin	Vitavax 34	Vitavax Single Solution
Carboxin + Captan	Nu-Gro, Captan 20, Carboxin 20, Seed Mate, Captan - Vitavax 20-20, Enhance
Carboxin + Maneb	DB-Green + Vitavax, Enhance Plus
Carboxin + Thiram	Vitavax 200 Flowable, RTU- Vitavax-Thiram, Vitavax- Thiram-Lindane, Vitaflo 280, Vitavax T-L	Vitavax Powder, Vitaflo-280, Anchor
Carboxin + Imazalil + Thiabendazole	Vitavax Extra RTU Vitavax Extra
Chlorothalonil		Bravo 500
Difenoconazole	Dividend
Imazalil	Agsco Double R, Flo-Pro, lmZ Flowable, Nuzone 10, ME
Mancozeb	Dithane M-45, Grain Guard, Grain Guard Plus, Manzate 200 DF	Manzate 200-DF, Dithane DO, Tuberseal
Mancozeb + Metalaxyl		Ridornil M2Y2WP
Iprodione		Rovral
Maneb	Agsco OB green, or Granol, NM, or Seed Mate Maneb, Lindane Agsco DB-Green L	N-M Drill Box Seed, Treatment Powder, N~M Dual Purpose
Maneb + Thiabendazole	Granox Plus
Prevail		PCNB (Terraclor)
Terra-Coat LT-2N, RTU-PCNB		Iprodione, Lindane
	Rovral ST	Tebuconazole + Thiram
	Thiram	42-S Thiram, Thiram 5OWP
Thiram 75WP	Thiram + Thiabendazole	Agrosol T

FUNGICIDES - FOLIAR SPRAYS
ACTIVE INGREDIENT	U.S. NAME	CANADIAN NAME
Benomyl	Benlate WP	Benlate
Copper	Champion WP, Champ Flowable, Kocide 101, Kocide 606 Kocide DF Kocide LF
Mancozeb	Dithane DF, Dithane F-45, Dithane M-45, Manzate 2OODF Pen ncczeb, Penncozeb DF	Dithane D6
Propiconazole	Tilt 3.6 E	Tilt
Tnadimefon	Bayleton
Sulfur	Sulfur DF Thiolux

NAMES OF U.S. AND CANADIAN INSECTICIDES
COMMON NAME	U.S. TRADE NAME	CANADIAN NAME
Acephate	Orthene	n/a
Aldicarb	Temik	n/a
Azinphos-methyl	Guthion	Guthion/Azinphos N
Bacillus thurinqiensi	Dipel
Carbaryl	Sevin	Sevin
Carbofuran	Furadan	Furadan
Chiorpyrifos	Lorsban	Lorsban
Chiopyrifos-methyl	Reldan
Cypermethrin	n/a	Ripeord
Deltamettirin	n/a	Decim
Diazinon	Diazinon	Diazinon
Dimethoate	Cyqon	Cygon/Lagon/Hopper Stopper
Disulfoton	DI-Syston	DI-Syston
Endosul fan	Thiodan	Thiodan/Endosulfan
Encapsulated methyl parathion	Penncap M
Esfenvalerate	Asana XL
Ethoprop	Mocap
Ethyl parathion	Parathion
Fenvalerate	Pydrin
Fonofos	Dyfonate	Dyfonate
Malathion	Malathion	Malathion
Methamidophos	Monitor	Monitor
Methidathion	Bupracide	Supracide
Methomyl	Lannate	Lannate
Methyl parathion	Methyl parathion
Nosema locustea fungus	NOLO (TM)Bait
Oxamyl	Vydate
Oxydemeton-methyl	n/a	Metasystox R
Permethrin	Ambush, Pounce	Ambush, Pounce
Pirimicarb	n/a	Pirimor
Phorate	Thimet	Thimet
Phosphamidon	Phosphamidon
Tefluthrin	Force
Terbufos	Counter	Counter
Tralomethrin	Scout X-TRA

Names of U.S. and Canadian Herbicides
Active ingredient	U.S.	U.S. Premix	Canadian	Canadn Premix	Herb. Group
Acetanilides
Acetachlor	Harness Plus, Surpass		n/a		n/a
Alachlor	Lasso/Other	Bronco, Bullet, Freedom	n/a	(Ontario only)
Dimethenaniid	Frontier	Contour	Frontier		Other
Metolachlor	Dual	Cycle, Broadstrike + Dual	Dual		Other
Propachlor	Ramrod	Ramrod/Atrazine	n/a		Other
Propanil	Stampede 80EDF	Stampede CM	Stampede	Stampede CM	Other
Amino Acids
Glyphosate	Roundup/others	Bronco, Landmaster BW, Fallow Master	Roundup/others		Other
Glufosinate	Ignite, Finale		Ignite, Harvest, Liberty		Other
Sulfosate	Touchdown		Touchdown		Other
Aryloxphenoxpropionic acids/Cyclohexanediones
Clethodin	Select		Select		1
Diclofop	Hoelon		Hoe-Grass	Hoe-Grass11	1
Fenoxaprop	Option 11, Whip	Cheyenne, Dakota, Fusion, Tiller		Laser, Laser DF, Puma, Truimph Plus, Champion Plus	1
Fluazifop-p	Fusilade 2000	Fusion	Fusilade 11, Venture	Fusion	1
Quizalofop-p	Assure 11		Assure		1
Sethoxydin	Poast/Poast Plus		Poast		1
Tralkoxydin			Achieve	Achieve Extra, Prevail	1
Benzoic Acids
Dicamba	Banvel/Banvel SGF	Fallow Master, Marksman	Banvel	Dyvel, Dyvel Ds, Kil-Mor, Target	4
Benzonitriles
Bromoxynil	Buctril	Bronate, Buctril/Atrazine	Parder	Achieve Extra, Laser, Buctril M, Hoe-Grass 11	6
Benzothiadiazoles
Bentazon	Basagran/many	Laddock, Galaxy, Storm	Basagran/many	Laddock, Marksman	Other
Bipyridiliums
Difenzoquat	Avenge		Avenge 200C		8
Diquat	Diquat		Reglone		Other
Paraquat	Cyclone, Gramoxone Extra		Gramozone		Other
Dipnenylethers
Acifluorfen	Blazer	Galaxy, Storm	n/a
Lactofen	Cobra		n/a
Dinitroanilines
Ethalfluralin	Sonalan		Edge		3
Pendimethalin	Prowl	Pursuit Plus, Squadron	n/a
Trifluralin	Treflan/others	Broadstrike + Treflan, Buckle, Freedom, Salute	Treflan/others	Fortress	3
Imidazolinones
Imazanethabenz	Assert		Assert		2
Imazaquin	Scepter	Squadron, Tri-Scept	n/a
Imazethapyr	Pursuit	Pursuit Plus	Pursuit		2
Isoxazolidinones
Clomazone	Command	Commence	n/a
Phenoxy-carboxylic acids
2,4-D	many	Curtail, Landmaster, BW, Tiller	many	Diphenoprop, DyVel DS, Estaprop, Ki-Mor	4
Dichloprop				Diphenoprop, Estaprop, Dichlorprop-D, Turboprop	4
MCPA	many	Bronate, Cheyenne, Dakota, Stampede CM, Tiller	many	Achieve Extra, Blagal, Buctril M, DyVel, Laer, Laer DF, Target, Triumph Plus	4
Meccoprop			Compitox/Mecoprop	DyVel DS, Kil-Mor, Target	4
Pyridines
Clopyralid	Stinger	Curtail	Lontrel	Prevail	4
Picloram	Tordon 22K		Tordon	Tordon 202C	4
Sulfonylureas
Chlorimuron	Classic	Lorox Plus, Preview	n/a
Chlorsulfuron	Glean	Finesse	n/a
Rimsulfuron		Matrix	n/a
Ethanetrsulfruron			Muster		2
Metsulfuron	Ally	Finesse	Ally/Excort		2
Nicosulfuron	Accent		n/a
Primsulfuron	Beacon		n/a
Thifensulfuron	Pinnacle	Concert, Harmony Extra	Refine	Laser DF, Refine Extra, Truimph Plus, Champion Plus	2
Triasulfuron	Amber		Amber
Tribenuron	Express	Harmony Extra	n/a	Express Pack, Refine Extra	2
Thiocarbarnates
EPTC	Eptan, Eradicane		Eptan, Eradicane		Other
Triallate	Far-Go	Buckle	Avadex BW	Fortress	8
as-Triazines
Metribuzin	Sencor/Lexone	Canaopy, Matrix, Preview, Salute, Turbo	Sencor/Lexone		5
s-Triazines
Atrizine	many	Bicep, Extrazine 11, Laddok, Lariat, Marksman, Sutan +	Atrazine	Ladok, Sutan +	5
Cyanazine	Bladex	Cycle	Bladex		5
Triazolopyrimidine sulfonanilides
Flumetsulan		Broadstrike + Dual, Broadstrike + Treflan	n/a
Ureas
Linuron	Lorox	Lorox Plus	Afolan F/Lorox DF		7
Tables update by Dave Kelner, Weeds Specialist, Manitoba Agriculture