• Pesticides and herbicides are designed to be toxic to pests and can harm birds, fish, pets and humans if misused.
• If lawn chemicals, pesticides or herbicides are used in larger doses than recommended on the label, runoff can have an adverse effect on drinking water supplies and the environment.

Handling 

• Avoid buying more product than you need, as it is likely to become waste at a later date.
• Store pesticides in original containers that are closed and labeled, in a secure area out of reach of children and pets. Avoid storing pesticides in damp areas where containers may become moist or rusty. Pesticides should NOT be stored near food.
• Follow label instructions strictly about where and how much to apply.
• Do NOT put pesticides in the trash or down the drain.
• Use rubber gloves when handling pesticides and use an appropriate cartridge mask if using products extensively.
• Do NOT use or give away banned pesticides or pesticides that are no longer registered for use. EPA maintains a list of more than 50 banned pesticides. To find out whether a product is no longer registered for use in Massachusetts, contact the state Pesticide Bureau at 617-626-1700 or visit its Web site.
• For questions on specific pesticides and environmentally friendly products and procedures, such as Integrated Pest Management, contact the state Pesticide Bureau.
• For more information on identifying pesticides, their health hazards, and use and Management guidelines, call the National Pesticide Telecommunications Network at 800-858-7378 or visit its Web site.
  

Management Options 

Banned or Unregistered Pesticides:

• If the pesticide is banned or no longer registered for use, save in original container for the next household hazardous waste collection day.

Registered Pesticides:

• If the product is still registered for use, use up according to directions on the label or donate it to a friend or neighbor who can use it.
• If you no longer have a use for the product and are not able to give it away, save it for a hazardous household waste collection day or take to a commercial hazardous waste facility.

Empty Containers:

• Do NOT recycle or reuse pesticide containers.
• Empty containers should be triple rinsed and then disposed of in the trash. Take the following steps to triple rinse a container:
  • Fill the empty pesticide container with cold water and use the rinse water as if it were full-strength product, in accordance with the label instructions.
  • Repeat this procedure two more times.
  • Do NOT pour rinse water down the drain.
  • Once the container is empty and triple rinsed, it should be wrapped in newspaper and disposed of in the trash.
• Do NOT triple rinse containers for banned or unregistered pesticides. Save these for the next household hazardous waste collection day.