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 recycle 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 [email protected] | 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 [email protected] | 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 [email protected] | 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