Pesticides
Federal Definition: A pesticide is defined as any substance or mixture of substances intended for preventing, destroying, repelling, or mitigating any pest, or intended for use as a plant regulator, defoliant, or desiccant. EPA website.
Labels: Universal waste pesticide labels must include the following:
- “Universal Waste – Pesticides”
- The date of the first pesticide waste added to the container
Storage:
- Store pesticides in closed, structurally sound containers (e.g., steel drums, heavy-duty plastic containers).
- Tighten pesticide lid/cap to prevent spillage inside the waste collection.
- Label universal waste container with the accumulation start date.
- Pesticides cannot be accumulated for more than one year
What NOT to do:
Do not dispose of pesticides in regular trash or municipal recycling bins
- Pesticides are considered hazardous or universal waste, and must be disposed of properly
Do not pour pesticides down the sink, toilet, or street drain
- Pesticides can contaminate water systems and aquatic life, disrupting the balance of many ecosystems
Do not mix different pesticides in the same container
- Mixing pesticides can lead to physical or chemical incapabilities
Spill response:
- Control/stop the spill if applicable
- Use absorbent materials to soak up the spill and prevent it from spreading
- Carefully collect the absorbent material and dispose of any contaminated items in a pesticide-contaminated bag or container
- Disinfect the area
- Contact Environmental Health & Safety (EHS)
Who to contact for any questions:
For any questions regarding universal waste, contact the Environmental Health and Safety department at (309) 438-8325. For any emergencies, call 911.