CropLife South Africa, in co-operation with plastic processors, implemented a system to gather and process empty plastic pesticide containers in a legal and responsible way.

All the details are available on www.croplife.co.za in the Resources tab under the heading Waste Management:

• List of CropLife SA approved plastic collectors and recyclers.
• Guidelines for cleansing and disposal of plastic containers.
• Warnings about plastic containers.
• Guidelines for plastic recyclers.

If the pesticide container is empty, clean it as follows at the spray tank:

• Fill the container with clean water up to a quarter of the container’s volume.
• Shake the container for thirty seconds.
• Pour the rinse water over into the spray tank.
• Repeat the rinse process twice.
• Cut the container in quarters and allow it to dry.

Dispose of the material in the following way:

• Contact a CropLife SA approved plastic processor closest to you.
• Arrange for the plastic to be dropped off with them, or for it to be collected from the farm.
• Ensure that the plastic processor’s valid CropLife SA certificate of approval is shown to you.
• Insist on a CropLife SA certificate of compliant destruction.

Do not under any circumstances do the following:

• Bury or burn the containers.
• Donate containers to anyone for reuse.
• Use the containers for lick or drinking containers for animals.