Safe disposal of pesticides

The inappropriate disposal of pesticide rinsate and empty containers can harm people and the environment. This page will help you use the triple rinsing process to reduce harm from pesticide residues and provide ways of recycling as well as disposing of your containers.

Triple rinsing and reusing rinsate

Empty pesticide containers are classified as a hazardous waste, meaning they are a danger to public health and the environment, so before disposing of or recycling them you must triple rinse them with a mix of pesticide residue diluted by water, solvents, oils, commercial rinsing agents or any other substances (rinsate)

Triple rinsing

  • reduces chemical waste
  • is the most responsible way of handling waste to protect the environment

The following steps outline the triple rinse process

  • Step 1: empty the remaining contents of the chemical container into your spray tank for reuse later, and allow the container to drain into the tank for an extra 30 seconds after the flow reduces to drops.
  • Step 2: pour clean water into the container until it is 20-25% full and replace the cap securely.
  • Step 3: shake, rotate, roll or invert the container vigorously for at least 30 seconds.
  • Step 4: pour the rinsate (rinse water from Step 3) into your spray tank. Let the container drain into the tank for an extra 30 seconds after the flow reduces to drops.
  • Step 5: repeat Steps 2 to 4 twice more.
  • Step 6: fully drain the container and leave it to dry with the cap off

To dispose of the rinsate, follow the EPA’s Guidelines for managing the disposal of pesticide rinsate (PDF 127KB)

Rinsing should be carried out immediately after emptying the chemical container, as residues are a lot harder to remove when dry.

Disposing of chemicals safely

ChemClear is a program to help you dispose of your unwanted chemicals safely.

If you have triple rinsed your containers, and they are under 1 litre/1 kilogram in size, you can

  • dispose or recycle them in your household curb side collection (for small scale operators)
  • dispose of or recyle them in commercial bins (for larger scale operators)
  • take them to a local waste facility, where you may be charged a fee to dispose of them

Your local council will be able to advise you of the appropriate option to take.

Containers or drums more than 1 litre/1 kilogram in size will generally not be able to be collected as household waste and will need to go to a waste facility that can accept them. You may be charged a fee.

Your local council or the EPA can advise on the best option to take.

If your pesticides containers are not triple rinsed, they are classed as hazardous waste and cannot be disposed of in your local curb side collection. They will need to be disposed of at a facility that can lawfully accept them. Such a facility will charge you for disposal and recycling.

Your local council can advise on such facilities in your area.

Some waste facilities

Site No. Site Name Suburb Address Contact details Operating times

1

Toxfree – Links Rd depot

St Marys

66 Links Road, St Marys NSW 2760

02 9851 4200
1300 869 373
info@toxfree.com.au

Call to make arrangements
Does not need to be triple rinsed
Charges apply

2

Toxfree – Christie St depot

St Marys

40 Christie Street, St Marys NSW 2760

02 9851 4200
1300 869 373
info@toxfree.com.au

Call to make arrangements
Does not need to be triple rinsed
Charges apply

3

Toxfree – Heather St depot

Heatherbrae

42 Heather Street, Heatherbrae NSW 2324

02 4987 7022
info@toxfree.com.au

Call to make arrangements
Does not need to be triple rinsed
Charges apply

4

Suez – Wetherill Park

Wetherill Park

20 Davis Road, Wetherill Park NSW 2164

13 13 35

Drop off only, must be triple rinsed
Charges apply
Mon–Fri: 6am–4:30pm
Sat/Sun: 8:30am–3:00pm

5

Suez – Camellia

Camellia

Grand Avenue, Camellia NSW 2142

13 13 35

Drop off only, must be triple rinsed
Charges apply

6

Suez – Belrose

Belrose

Crozier Road, Belrose NSW 2085

13 13 35

Drop off only, must be triple rinsed Charges apply Mon–Fri: 5:00am–5:00pm Sat/Sun: 8:00am–3:00pm

Recycle your empty containers using drumMUSTER

drumMUSTER is a national program for the free collection and recycling of empty chemical containers. A 4c per litre/kilogram levy has been included in the purchase price for all containers that are part of the drumMUSTER program.

Only chemicals displaying the drumMUSTER symbol are eligible for collection and recycling. The symbol will either be a sticker, included as part of the product label or embossed into the container.

You must triple rinse your empty containers before drumMUSTER accepts them for recycling.

The benefits of using drumMUSTER are that

  • it meets the requirements of quality assurance programs and environmental management systems (EMS)
  • you are provided with a receipt for participating in the program
  • it is an effective way of recycling empty chemical containers – metal containers undergo the usual metal recycling process while plastic containers are made into, for example, wheelie bins and irrigation pipes
  • participation in the program reduces the risk of harm to the environment and public health
  • there are drumMUSTER locations in Sydney and regional areas

DrumMuster: Sydney Region locations

Site No. Site Name Suburb Address Contact details Operating times

1

JK Plastics - Pick up service

Homebush, Padstow, West Pennant Hills, Liverpool & Gordon

3/19-23 Harris St, North St Marys NSW 2760

0416 146 675

Pick up service by appointment only

2

Maxwell & Kemp

Milperra

A2/66 Ashford Avenue, Milperra 2214

0419 646 024

make appointment

3

Sydney Weed & Pest Management

Prospect

Unit 3A 7 Stoddart Road, Prospect 2148

0417 443 151

Monday mornings & Friday afternoons, make appointment

4

Drum Reconditioners-NSW

Seven Hills

30-32 Powers Road, Seven Hills 2147

02 9624 6455

Appointment required

5

North Turramurra Golf Club

Turramurra

361A Bobbin Head Road, Turramurra 2074

0400 225 321

Call to make appointment, normal working hours

6

Arcadia park (old tip site)

Arcadia

Arcadia Road, Arcadia 2159

9847 4858

Operates on specific days, booking essential

7

Hawkesbury City Waste Management Facility

South Windsor

The Driftway, South Windsor 2756

02 4560 4444

Mon–Fri mornings by appointment

8

JK Plastics

St Marys

19-23 Harris St, St Marys 2760

0416 146 675

Normal working hours – make appointment

9

T & W Greenhouse

Kemps Creek

855 Fifteenth Ave, Kemps Creek 2178

02 9606 0091

Normal opening hours 8:00am–5:00pm

10

Ace Ohlsson

Bringelly

1675 The Northern Rd, Bringelly, 2556

02 4774 8164

8:00am–4:00pm Monday to Friday

11

Mangrove Mountain Rural Fire Department

Mangrove Mountain

Bloodtree Road Mangrove Mountain, 2250

0411 205 405 (Andy Schneider)
0428 113 269 (Rob Carraro)

Call to arrange appointment

12

Globe

Padstow

39 Gow Street, Padstow, 2211

02 9793 7984

8:00am–3:30pm Monday to Friday

13

Globe

Gateshead

11 Nevin Close, Gateshead, 2290

02 4942 3833

8:00am–3:30pm Monday to Friday

14

Globe

Condell Park

87 Allingham Street, Condell Park, 2200

8713 5555

Call to arrange appointment

15

Bargo Waste Management Centre

Bargo

31 Anthony Road, Bargo 2574

0419 490 599

8:30am–4:15pm Monday to Friday, booking essential

DrumMuster: Major regional locations

Site No. Site Name Suburb Address Contact details Operating times

1

Moss Vale Resource Recovery Centre

Moss Vale

177 Berrima Road, Moss Vale NSW 2577

0406 745 030

By appointment every Tuesday and Thursday

2

Minnamurra Recycling Depot

Minnamurra

Riverside Drive, Dunmore, Minnamurra, NSW 2533

02 4237 5148
0406 745 030

By appointment on first Monday of each month – 8:00am to 4:00pm

3

Goulburn Resource Recovery Centre

Goulburn

54 Sinclair St, Goulburn, NSW 2580

02 4821 4830
0406 745 030

Monday to Friday 9:00am to 4:00pm

4

West Nowra Waste & Recycling Depot

West Nowra

Flatrock Road, West Nowra, NSW 2541

4429 3374
0406 745 030

By appointment every Wednesday

5

Landmark - Country Hope

Wagga Wagga

53-55 Moorong St, Wagga Wagga, NSW 2678

6921 1511
0406 745 030

By appointment

6

Bourke Waste Depot

Bourke

Kidman Way, Bourke, NSW 2840

0439 105 960
0427 925 274

By appointment

7

Tharbogang Landfill

Tharbogang

Hillside Drive, Tharbogang, NSW 2680

02 6963 6491
0406 745 030

By appointment Monday to Friday 8:00am to 12:00 noon

8

Whylandra Waste and Recycling Centre

Dubbo

Cooba Road, Dubbo NSW 2830

6887 3382
0427 925 274

By appointment Monday to Friday 9:00am to 4:00pm

9

Mudgee Waste Facility

Mudgee

129 Hill End Road, Mudgee, NSW 2850

02 6378 2770
0427 925 274

First Wednesday of every month

10

Tamworth Waste Management Facility

Tamworth

123A Forest Road, Tamworth NSW 2340

02 6761 3687
0427 925 274

By appointment

11

Armidale Transfer Station

Armidale

108 Long Swamp Road, Armidale, NSW 2350

6772 7090
0427 925 274

Monday to Friday 8:00am to 5:00pm

12

Coffs Coast Resource Recovery Park

Coffs Harbour

Lot 32b Englands Rd, Coffs Harbour NSW 2450

6648 4000

Monday to Friday (by appointment only)

Note*: Not all regional locations have been listed

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