Disposal of containers and herbicides
Empty containers
- Rinse empty containers three times with water and tip rinsate into spray tank. This is best done as the containers are emptied during spraying operations.
- Never use chemical containers for water storage or livestock feed troughs. Contact local shire for details where used containers can be deposited and local herbicide suppliers to obtain information on reusable/refillable containers.
Non-returnable containers
- Never burn any herbicide container. They may give off poisonous smoke or damage nearby plants or crops.
- Chop holes in top, bottom and sides of metal containers, crush under tractor wheel or flatten with a sledge hammer so that they cannot be reused nor collect water. Do not use oxy-acetylene torches to cut holes.
- Crush metal, plastic, cardboard or fibre drums and break glass containers, then bury them at least 0.5m deep at a safe site, such as a LGA landfill site. Do not bury them in watercourses or where they might contaminate water supplies.
Unwanted pesticides
- Only mix enough pesticide to do the job.
- First offer unwanted pesticides for use by a responsible person. If this is not possible, select a well-drained site away from desirable vegetation, and where lateral movement of groundwater will not occur. Dig a pit at least 0.5m deep, spread a bag of lime in the bottom and pour the diluted pesticide over the lime. Then cover with soil. Permanently mark the site and show it on the farm map.
- Never incinerate unwanted pesticides.
Further information
Further information on controlling declared plants can be found through the Declared plant control handbook link.