57 Ways - 23. Dispose Of Pesticides Safely

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57 Ways To Protect Your Home Environment (and Yourself)

Caring for the Home Landscape

1. Aim for a healthy lawn rather than a perfect lawn
2. Cut the grass without gas
3. Prevent insect, disease, and weed problems in the garden
4. Identify fruits and vegetables that need fewer pesticides
5. Select native trees and shrubs that will thrive in your yard
6. Keep your tress healthy and safe
7. Plant “wild” in your backyard
8. Attract birds and butterflies to your backyard

Using Alternatives to Traditional Pesticides & Fertilizers - Where Practical

9. Scout for pests on the landscape
10. Consider microbial insecticides
11. Consider botanical insecticides & insecticidal soaps
12. Conserve beneficial insects
13. Monitor & control insects with traps
14. Use pest barriers in your garden
15. Solarize soil
16. Consider the potential of natural fertilizers

Using Chemicals on the Landscape - If Necessary

17. Know what to ask a lawn-care company and arborist
18. Understand pesticide toxicity
19. Read the pesticide label
20. Apply pesticides accurately and safely
21. Apply fertilizers accurately and safely

Storing & Disposing of Hazardous Chemicals

22. Store hazardous chemicals safely
23. Dispose of pesticides safely
24. Dispose of auto products safely
25. Dispose of paints and solvents safely
26. Dispose of adhesives, areosols, household cleaners & other hazardous waste safely

Managing Yard, Food & Other Household Waste

27. Reduce household waste
28. Recycle paper, glass, & aluminum
29. Reuse and respond
30. Recycle grass clippings
31. Create a compost pile
32. Use yard waste as mulch
33. Dispose of tree residues

Protecting Your Drinking Water

34. Know when & how to test your water
35. Test your water for coliform bacteria & nitrate 36. Test your water for pesticides - if necessary
37. Know the signs of contaminants in drinking water
38. Select effective water-treatment methods
39. Prevent contamination from septic systems
40. Know the pros & cons of bottled water

Protecting the Indoor Environment

41. Prevent contamination by lead
42. Test your home for radon
43. Reduce radon levels
44. Control dust, dust mites & other allergens
45. Reduce pollution from combustion equipment
46. Prevent contamination by formaldehyde and asbestos
47. Recognize tht it's not always necessary to control indoor insects
48. Select the right household pesticide
49. Control household pests with less toxic alternatives
50. Select household cleaners wisely

Conserving Energy & Water

51. Design new homes for energy effciency
52. Save energy in heating & cooling
53. Insulate & seal your home
54. Choose energy-efficient appliances
55. Save money & energy with compact fluorescent light bulbs
56. Use plants & other landscape tools to conserve energy
57. Conserve water in & around the home

23. Dispose Of Pesticides Safely
	The most common way homeowners dispose of leftover pesticides is to dump them down the toilet or sink. This places a serious burden on your municipality’s water-treatment facilities; if a home is connected to a septic system, pesticides can interfere with the system’s proper operation. Although toxicity varies from one pesticide to the next, all pesticides should be treated with caution. Take special care when disposing of: leftover pesticide concentrate leftover pesticide mix rinse water used to clean the sprayer after application rinse water used to clean empty pesticide containers empty pesticide containers.
	If you end up with excess pesticide concentrate, dilute it as directed on the label; then apply it to an area listed on the label. You can dispose of excess pesticide mix by applying it to an area listed on the label. Do not apply more than is recommended. You can also store leftover pesticide until you are able to take it to a hazardous-waste collection site.
	An empty pesticide container is not as empty as you might think; a significant amount of pesticide residue can remain inside of it. Triple-rinse an empty container of liquid pesticide before you toss it into the trash. Here’s how: First, when you are down to the last amount of pesticide concentrate, drain the pesticide container into your spray tank for at least 30 seconds.
	Fill the empty container one-fifth to one-fourth full of water and rinse thoroughly. Use this rinse water as dilution water for the pesticide concentrate in the sprayer. If the dilution rate allows you to pour all the rinse water into the sprayer, drain it into the sprayer for at least 30 seconds.
	Follow the procedure in Steps 2 and 3 two more times. Then spray the pesticide mixture on areas listed on the label. Do not exceed the label’s application rate.
	Triple-rinse containers as soon as they are emptied during the mixing/filling stage. If you still have some rinse water left over after using it to dilute pesticide concentrate, spray it on areas listed on the label. You can do the same with rinse water used to clean the sprayer.