Pesticide Bureau News Special Issue

A Publication of the Division of Regulatory Services - Pesticide Bureau

September 1998 Volume 2, Issue 98-2

PESTICIDE COLLECTION PROGRAM 1998

The Massachusetts Department of Food and Agriculture in cooperation with several other state agencies has contracted with Safety-Kleen to collect unused and unwanted pesticides at seven locations throughout Massachusetts in November. Dates and location details are on page 5.

This non-regulatory and voluntary program will allow you to dispose of all unused and unwanted pesticides, including those that are suspended or canceled.

For all questions regarding the Pesticide Collection Program, you must contact:

SAFETY KLEEN at 1-800-243-5116 ATTN: PESTICIDE COLLECTION PROGRAM

To participate you must pre-register with Safety Kleen by faxing or mailing the attached Massachusetts Pesticide Collection Inventory Form

The deadline for faxing or mailing in the Inventory is October 19th.

Safety-Kleen will pre-assign you a location and a time at which to show up at the location. Safety-Kleen will also tell you how much you will owe. Municipalities and state agencies disposing of their pesticides are solely responsible for payment to Safety-Kleen. For payment procedures contact Safety-Kleen at 1-800-243-5116.

This document has been prepared by the University of Massachusetts Extension Pesticide Education Program. The document contains information about recommended safety practices for packaging, storing and transporting unwanted pesticides that may help you minimize your exposure.

1. Safe Inspection of your pesticide inventory.

2. Unknown waste pesticides.

3. Packaging / repackaging for transport.

4. Packaging damaged or leaking containers for transport.

5. Packaging damaged or leaking containers for storage.

6. Pesticide spills and accidents.

7. The PESTICIDE COLLECTION DAY.

1. SAFE INSPECTION OF YOUR PESTICIDE INVENTORY

When examining your pesticide inventory take appropriate precautions:

• Wear personal protective equipment such as gloves, apron, goggles, long sleeve shirts and pants,and chemical resistant footwear.
• Before handling visually check for deteriorated or leaking containers and leaks on the floor.
• Examine labels for safety instructions.

  If there is no label, treat the product as if it is highly hazardous.

• Work in well ventilated areas. Avoid breathing pesticide fumes and dusts.
• There should be no need to open pesticide containers. Never open a container if it appears unsafe to do so.
• Do not remove products from their original containers or try to consolidate like wastes.
• If containers are in danger of leaking, they should be placed in an oversized plastic container or plastic lined (leak proof) cardboard box with vermiculite or other non flammable absorbent material for spill protection.

Fill out your Massachusetts Pesticide Collection Inventory Form, make TWO (2) COPIES and fax or mail ONE (1) COPY to Safety-Kleen at the following address:

SAFETY-KLEEN,

ATTN PESTICIDE COLLECTION PROGRAM,

223 SUTTON STREET,

N. ANDOVER, MA 01845

YOU WILL NEED TO KEEP ONE COPY FOR YOURSELF TO TRANSPORT YOUR PESTICIDES TO THE COLLECTION SITE. KEEP IT ON YOUR PERSON, NOT WITH THE PESTICIDES. YOU WILL NEED THIS DOCUMENT TO GAIN ADMITTANCE. IF YOU HAVE ANY QUESTIONS REGARDING THE FORM, CALL SAFETY-KLEEN AT 1-800- 243-5116.

2. UNKNOWN WASTE PESTICIDES

Unknown, unlabeled or otherwise unidentifiable pesticides are illegal to distribute, use or improperly dispose of. Such pesticides are considered to be waste pesticides.

At registration please provide as much information as you can about your unknowns; include partial label information, your best recollection as to what it might be, a description of the color and type of product, the product age, etc..

If the unknown is less than 5 gallons or less than 40 lbs., the unknown will be tested at the Collection Site by Safety-Kleen chemists. You will be asked to wait for the results in case the product cannot be satisfactorily identified.

If the unknown is greater than five gallons or 40 lbs., you may have to participate in Safety-Kleen’s other collection program - direct pick up at an increased cost of collection.

Safety-Kleen reserves the right to sample certain quantities of waste pesticides of questionable content, in advance of the collection or at the collection site.

3. PACKAGING/ REPACKAGING FOR TRANSPORT

NON LEAKING CONTAINERS

• Wear protective clothing as instructed by the label or as the situation requires.

• Inspect all containers to make sure that they are securely packaged and that the lids are closed. Only transport containers that are secure.

• Securely attach all labels. If a pesticide has no label it will be treated as an unknown.

• Make certain your load matches the APPROVED Massachusetts Pesticide Collection Inventory Form.

• Brace containers in vehicle to prevent shifting or container damage and leakage.

• If possible, arrange the pesticides by hazard class (flammable, corrosive, oxidizer, poisons, etc).

• Keep all containers dry during transport.

• Drive directly to the collection site.

• Keep pesticides in their original containers and maintain all label information.

IF A CONTAINER IS QUESTIONABLE FOLLOW INSTRUCTIONS IN THE NEXT SECTION. IF YOU THINK A CONTAINER WILL TEAR OR RUPTURE WHEN MOVED DO NOT MOVE IT.

INSTEAD CALL SAFETY-KLEEN AT 1-800-243-5116

4. PACKAGING DAMAGED OR LEAKING CONAINERS FOR TRANSPORT

DRY MATERIALS

• Place original bag inside of an oversized leak proof plastic garbage bag. Do NOT use a garbage bag with holes in it.

• Close bag with a twist tie-NOT TAPE.

• Label outside of package.

• Place upright in a sturdy container, such as a box, and brace in vehicle.

LIQUID MATERIALS

• Line an OVERSIZED plastic bucket or similar container with a leak proof garbage bag.

• Place original container inside this arrangement.

• A sturdy cardboard box lined with a leak proof garbage bag may be also used for transportation but is not recommended for long term storage.

• If container is leaking, partially fill the space between the original container and liner with a non flammable absorbent such as vermiculite.

• Gather bag closed around container and close with a string or twist tie-NOT TAPE.

• Label outside of package

• Place upright and brace in vehicle

5. PACKAGING DAMAGED OR LEAKING CONTAINERS FOR STORAGE

You may have to continue to store your unwanted pesticides if they are dangerous to transport. Holders of these waste pesticides are encouraged to stay in touch with programs offering additional disposal options. You can call Safety-Kleen to pick up the pesticides at your site for an increased rate price. Contact Safety-Kleen at

1-800-243- 5116, Attn. Pesticide Collection Program.

The following points should be observed to minimize the risks of storage:

• Keep pesticides in their original containers and maintain all label information.

• To minimize the possibility of leaking containers, OVER PACK THEM.

  • 1. Record all label information.

  • 2. Place original containers (do not open or pour out its contents) in oversized plastic buckets or similar oversized containers made of material compatible with the chemical to be stored. Make sure that there is a well fitting lid to safely cover the containers. NEVER use food or beverage containers for storing pesticides or over packing.

  • 3. Fill most of the space between the original container and the oversized one with a non flammable absorbent such as kitty litter or drysorb.

  • 4. Securely close the oversized container.

  • 5. Affix the recorded label information to the outside of the oversized container.

• Store the unwanted pesticide in an area secured for the storage of pesticides only. Animals, children and trespassers should be excluded from the storage area. The area should be free of temperature extremes and inspected regularly. Incompatible products should not be stored together - flammables should never be stored with corrosives, toxics or poisons.

6. FOR SPILLS AND ACCIDENTS

If a spill or accident occurs during transportation to the pesticide collection site...Practice the four Cs of Spill Management.

Remain cALM...

• Keep people at a safe distance.

cONTROL the Spill...

• PROTECT YOURSELF. Put on your Personal Protective Equipment. Upright fallen containers and bags to prevent further release.

cONTAIN the Spill...

• Use absorbent materials (kitty litter) for liquids and contain it with a dirt dike.

• For dry spills, cover with your tarp.

cLEANUP the Spill...

• Use a shovel to pick up the dry materials and absorbed liquids.

• Put into extra garbage bags.

If the spill is too large for you to clean up safely,

• Secure the area.

• Keep people at a safe distance.

7. THE PESTICIDE COLLECTION DAY

1. Load your waste pesticides and drive directly to the collection site. Refer to the transportation checklist (BELOW). Schedule your arrival within your time slot to avoid unnecessary waiting.

2. Form a line at the Entry Checkpoint

Beyond this point you must stay in your vehicle unless otherwise directed. Have the Massachusetts Pesticide Collection Inventory form, Cashier’s Check (payable to Safety-Kleen) or cash ready and available. Have extra forms of payment if you have included additional items not on your inventory form.

THERE IS NO SMOKING BEYOND THIS POINT

3. When signaled proceed to the Unloading Area.

Your load will be compared to your registration. Unloading area staff will be looking for extra containers and non-conforming pesticide wastes.

The contractor will inspect individual waste pesticides and do all the unloading.

Stay in your vehicle unless the contractor requests that you open a door to provide information needed to identify a pesticide.

4. After unloading, you will be waved to the Exit Checkpoint. Participants with no special instructions can leave. Participants with special instructions will wait at this checkpoint for unknown test results or for rejected waste repackaging. Participants can leave pending results.

Every effort will be made to process the pesticides as quickly as is safely possible. Your cooperation is appreciated

1) Please type or print legibly, completing all sections.

2) You may register in one of the following manners by October 19, 1998:

2.1 Fax the completed form(s) to: (978) 682-3871 Attn: Pesticide Collection Program

2.2 Mail the completed form(s) to:Safety-Kleen Attn.: Pesticide Collection, 221 Sutton Street, North Andover, MA 01845

2.3 After completion of the form(s), call in to register (this applies to last minute registrations only) at:

1-800-243-5116 Attn.: Pesticide Collection Program

3) You will need to make a copy of this form. Fax or mail one copy to Safety-Kleen for approval. Keep one copy as your transportation document. This copy, when approved, will admit you to the collection site.

4) Location of event you will bring your waste to: (check one) Lenox (11/2)___, Northampton (11/3) ___, Orange (11/4) ___, Millbury (11/5)___, Wrentham (11/9)___, Wareham (11/10)___, Arlington (11/11)___.

5) Instructions:

Please list product information found on the label. If label is unreadable or missing, list any known information about the product.

FPlease make a copy of the completed Inventory Form. Keep one copy for admittance to the collection site and mail or fax one copy to Safety-Kleen.

FPlease make a copy of the completed Inventory Form. Keep one copy for admittance to the collection site and mail or fax one copy to Safety-Kleen.

All participants will be required to pre-register with SAFETY-KLEEN

ALL PARTICIPANTS IN THE PROGRAM, INCLUDING STATE AGENCIES AND MUNICIPAL AGENCIES, ARE THEMSELVES RESPONSIBLE FOR MAKING PAYMENT TO SAFETY-KLEEN.

(FOR PAYMENT PROCEDURES CONTACT SAFETY-KLEEN AT 1-800-243-5116)

All the information you require is contained within the attached "PESTICIDE BUREAU NEWSLETTER"