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Whether it is recycling used crop protection containers or maintaining sprayers in good shape for next season, the one thing these two activities have in common is the need to rinse and properly dispose of rinsate in a manner consistent with the application label. Recycling programs throughout Missouri may vary, but the one thing they have in common is the procedures necessary to prepare containers for recycling.

The rinsing routine is a triple rinse program that eliminates most of the residue of a pesticide through repeated dilution of the rinsate. It's not a matter of filling a container full of water, but to fill the container about a quarter full of water and then to rotate the closed container so that all surfaces are washed. Each time the container is rinsed, the remaining solution is diluted until very little of the original contents remain.

Rinsing should be performed as soon as the contents are applied. This procedure provides the means to include the rinsate in an already planned application of the material that follows the ingredient label. If you are unsure whether a recycling program exists for your community, check with your crop protection material provider for more information. Let your retailer know that you are interested in participating in a local program.

Someone once said sprayer winterization is 99 percent cleaning and one percent storage. For more information on cleaning sprayers see MU publication G4852, Cleaning Field Sprayers to Avoid Crop Injury, http://muextension.missouri.edu/xplor/agguides/crops/g04852.htm. After thorough cleaning, remove nozzles and pumps and allow all parts of the sprayer to dry thoroughly. Seal all openings with tape or rubber stoppers to prevent insects, rodents and pests from nesting in the equipment.

Bill Casady
573 882-4370