After rinsing liquid pesticide containers, what is a permissible method for their disposal in New Jersey?

Crushing and/or breaking pesticide containers is permissible for disposal in New Jersey because this method helps to minimize the volume of waste and prevents the containers from being reused inappropriately. By crushing them, the empty containers are reduced to a size that makes it easier to manage and transport them to a designated disposal facility.

Under state regulations, it’s essential to follow proper disposal methods to prevent environmental contamination and safeguard public health. Rinsing containers prior to disposal ensures that any residual pesticide is minimized, making them safer for disposal or recycling. This approach aligns with best practices for pesticide container disposal as established by the NJDEP, which emphasizes the importance of responsible management of hazardous materials.

Each method provides a different approach to disposal, but crushing or breaking containers is favored primarily to ensure that the empty containers cannot be repurposed in ways that might expose individuals to residual pesticides.