WHY TRIPLE RINSING?

AGROCHEMICAL CONTAINERS

What do you do with the empty agrochemical containers after you have finished
your agrochemical application?
No matter how an empty pesticide
container is disposed of, it must be
properly rinsed. Unrinsed agrochemical Why is rinsing
containers are not really clean. They may
still hold about 1% of the original amount
important?
of agrochemical. Although this figure Environmentally: It helps
sounds low, the agrochemical that prevent potential
remains in an unrinsed container still problems with unrinsed
remains a potential hazard to humans, containers, rinsate
animals, and the environment.
storage, and agrochemical
Inappropriate disposal of empty crop
wastes. Properly rinsed
protection product containers can lead to
health risks for humans and livestock as containers are classified as
well as causing environmental pollution. clean, solid waste. New
However, most empty pesticide ecological and economical
containers can be rinsed. Proper rinsing ways for their disposal are
of agrochemical containers reduces a available.
potential source of contamination of soil,
Agricultural practice:
surface, and ground water and removes a
potential source of agrochemical Rinsing empty containers
exposure to people, animals, and wildlife. is a good, sound farming
Agrochemical containers must be triple practice.
rinsed immediately after use. Proper Economically: It improves
rinsed agrochemical containers are the return on your
classified as non-hazardous.
investment, as all the
agrochemical quantity is
utilized.
Legislative: It is required
by law.

GUIDELINES FOR TRIPLE RINSING SMALL AGROCHEMICAL CONTAINERS

 WHAT IS TRIPLE-RINSING?
Triple-Rinsing is a 3-stage manual rinsing process
that has been proven as the best method for
cleaning empty agrochemical containers. Triple-
Rinsing means rinsing the container three times.
Triple-rinsing can be used with plastic, non-
pressurized metal, and glass containers.

Where do rinsed containers go after

triple rinsing?
Before containers can be accepted from
the management scheme, they must be
rinsed of all residues after use. Only dry,
residue-free rinsed containers are
accepted at the specified collection sites.
AGROCHEPACK project personnel will
inspect containers to determine if they
have been properly rinsed.
The collected clean containers are
classified according to their chemical
composition. There are two options for
the final disposal of the agrochemical Paper and Cardboard
packaging. The best option is the recycling Containers
Paper or cardboard containers
industry that uses the containers as
are often rigid enough to
recycling material. A second option is the withstand rinsing. If it is
channeling of the rinsed containers as a possible, triple rinse these
fuel for energy recovery to the industry. containers.

GUIDELINES FOR TRIPLE RINSING SMALL AGROCHEMICAL CONTAINERS

 ARE YOU TRAINED FOR
TRIPLE-RINSING?

To ensure safety, the following should

Remember be available to pesticide container
To follow all the given depot employees.
instructions. Wash water and soap
To start the triple-rinsing First-aid equipment and eye
immediately after the wash station
emptying of the Telephone for contacting
agrochemical. emergency personnel
To check the container Spill containment powder
after you have finished
rinsing. Make sure that
the inside surfaces of the
container are well rinsed.
To wear appropriate
protective clothing and
personal protective
equipment when
working with
agrochemicals.
Empty containers should Trainers Notes - Practical aids:
never be re-used. 1. Demonstrate triple rinsing.
The triple-rinsed
2. Have examples of different
containers are handed to
types of packaging, good and
the responsible employer
who disposes them in a
bad examples and a range of
special designed secure different packaging materials.
storage area. 3. Explain the differences
between packaging.

GUIDELINES FOR TRIPLE RINSING SMALL AGROCHEMICAL CONTAINERS

 GUIDELINES FOR TRIPLE RINSING
AGROCHEMICAL CONTAINERS

There are specific guidelines that must be followed to triple-rinse

agrochemical containers properly.

The following guidelines are suitable for three main categories of

agrochemical containers:
a) Small containers up to 20lt, because larger containers are too
heavy to lift and shake.

b) Big containers - Drums

c) Plastic bags containing solid agrochemicals (Granules and

Wettable Powder)

GUIDELINES FOR TRIPLE RINSING SMALL AGROCHEMICAL CONTAINERS

HOW TO TRIPLE RINSE?
Guidelines for small containers
1. Shake well and open the container but dont remove the sealant
from the container. Empty contents of container into spray
tank, turning the container so that any product trapped in the
handle is allowed to flow out. Once flow is down to a drip, allow
the container to drain for an additional 30 seconds.

Immediately begin rinsing procedures or the product may become

difficult to remove.
2. Fill the empty container until it is approximately one third (1/3)
full of clean water.
3. Replace the cap on the container. With the container opening
facing left, shake the container left to right (side to side) over a
distance of 10 to 15 cm. Shake the container about twice per
second for 30 seconds, making sure that all the inner surfaces
of the container are well rinsed.
4. Drain rinse water into spray tank so that it forms part of the
spray mix as previously described.
5. Fill the empty container 1/3 full of clean water a second time.
6. Recap the container. With the opening of the container pointed
towards the ground, shake the container up and down as
described before. Then drain the rinse water into the spray
tank.
7. Finally, fill the empty container 1/3 full once more with clean
water.
8. Recap the container. With the container in the normal, upright
position, shake the container side to side as described before.
9. Pour the rinse water into the spray tank. If the rinse water is
still coloured or milky after three rinses, then repeat the rinsing
process until the rinse water is clear.
10.Lowering the water flow so as not to splash water, carefully
rinse residue from the outside and the cap of the container over
spray tank opening.

GUIDELINES FOR TRIPLE RINSING SMALL AGROCHEMICAL CONTAINERS

 HOW TO TRIPLE RINSE?
Guidelines for large containers - drums

The procedures for rinsing drums may require two people.

1. Empty drum to the lowest possible level.

Immediately begin rinsing procedures or the product may
become difficult to remove
2. Fill drum with water to 25% of capacity. Replace and tighten
bungs.
3. Tip drum on to its side and roll it back and forth, ensuring at least
one complete revolution, for 30 seconds.
4. Stand the drum on its end and tip it back and forth several times
to rinse the corners.
5. Turn the drum over on to its other end and repeat this procedure.
6. Carefully empty rinse water into the spray tank.
7. Repeat this procedure two more times.
8. Carefully rinse cap over spray tank opening and then dispose of
appropriately as regular solid waste.
Alternatively, the drums are not triple rinsed and so they are
characterized as hazardous waste; their management follows the
relevant hazardous waste procedures.

GUIDELINES FOR TRIPLE RINSING SMALL AGROCHEMICAL CONTAINERS

 HOW TO DECONTAMINATE?
Guidelines for plastic bags containing
solid agrochemicals

ATTENTION! Rinsing non solid

packaging (normally associated
with dry formulations) is harder
and has a higher risk of spillages
due to the flimsy nature of the
packaging. Rinsing plastic bags is
not necessary. Shaking empty
plastic bags well above the spray
tank opening is also effective,
simpler and more secure.

To properly decontaminate plastic bags of solid

agrochemicals the following guidelines must be followed.
1. Use gloves
2. Empty carefully the agrochemical in the spray tank.
3. Shake gently the bag over the opening of the spray tank in
order to make sure that all the agrochemical has been
removed.
4. In cases of contents that are not removed by shaking,
apply the triple rinsing method carefully

GUIDELINES FOR TRIPLE RINSING SMALL AGROCHEMICAL CONTAINERS