Your guide to safe and sustainable drum disposal

Eligible hazardous chemicals include:

• Insecticides

• Nematicides

• Plant Growth Regulators

• Fungicides

• Miticides

• Animal Health Products

• Seed Dressings

• Rodenticides

• Paraciticides, internal & external

• Defoliants

• Anthelmintics

• Herbicides

• Lousicides and Vaccines

Eligible non-hazardous chemicals include:

• Surfactants

• Wetting Agents

• Adjuvants

• Spreaders

• Stickers

• Foam Markers

• Spray Markers

• Dye

• Spray Oils

• Liquid Fertilisers

• Dairy Detergents

• Farm Disinfectants

• Teat dip

• Animal Nutrition Products

• Udder wash

Proper rinsing and cleaning are essential steps in safely disposing of empty AgVet chemical containers. Clean containers are crucial for meeting occupational health and safety standards in our recycling processes.

Rinsing should be carried out immediately after emptying the chemical container, as residues become harder to remove when dry. Under current regulations in most states, containers that have not been properly rinsed can be classified as hazardous waste.

To ensure safe recycling, containers are inspected at collection points and must meet the following standards.

• No chemical residue: Containers must be free of chemical residue inside and out, including the thread and cap area. Containers with visible residue will be rejected.

• Drying: After rinsing, containers should be left to dry with the cap off to facilitate the drying process.

• Threads and caps: The threads of the container opening must be free of residue. Caps should not be replaced on the container but may be brought separately if clean.

• Labels: Labels should remain on the container to provide identification during inspection.

• Declaration: A signed statement by the farmer or chemical user at the point of collection provides evidence that the container has been properly rinsed.

• Rejection and return: If a container is rejected, you will be asked to take it back, clean it properly, and return it for recycling in your next delivery.

• Use of rinsate: When rinsing the chemical container, you can use the rinsate to make up an application of the same chemical according to the product's label recommendations.

Proper rinsing of your chemical containers ensures they are safe for handlers, compliant with drumMUSTER requirements, and ready for efficient recycling, while also protecting the environment from chemical residue. It’s an essential step for safety, compliance, and sustainability.

Triple rinsing

To achieve a suitable rinse, follow these steps.

1. Empty the contents into the spray tank and allow the container to drain for an extra 30 seconds after the flow reduces to drops.

2. Fill the container with clean water between 20 and 25 per cent of its capacity and securely replace the cap.

3. Shake, rotate, roll or invert the container vigorously for at least 30 seconds, so that the rinse water reaches all inside surfaces.

4. Pour the rinsate (the rinsing water from the previous step) into the spray tank and let it drain for an extra 30 seconds after the flow reduces to drops.

   For your animal dips, add the rinsate to the dip, or medicated water.

   For animal drenches, dispose of the rinsate in a pit specifically marked and set up for this purpose and ensure it is clear of waterways, vegetation and tree roots.

5. Repeat until the container has been rinsed three times or free of chemical residue.

Pressure rinsing

Pressure rinsing is one of the most effective forms of cleaning chemical containers. Nozzles are used to spray water into the container, the rinsate is then caught in the hopper and transferred to the spray tank.

Devices are normally built into an induction hopper, (which is attached to the sprayer), or they are purchased as separate induction or filling unit.

It is essential that clean water is used for the rinsing process.

The water pressure should be at least three Bar (300 kPa), and the operation usually takes around 30 seconds and requires around 15 litres of water per 20L container.

Using a piercing nozzle

A special nozzle is attached to the end of a hose to force any remaining chemical from the container. Clean water at a pressure of two to three Bar (200-300 kPa) is required and the following steps should be followed.

1. Empty the contents of the container into the spray tank and allow to drain for an extra 30 seconds after the flow reduces to drops.

2. Insert the pressure nozzle by puncturing through the lower side of the container and hold the container with the neck pointing down, so the rinsate will run into the spray tank.

3. Turn the water on and rinse until the rinsate coming from the container is clear (around 30 seconds) and turn the nozzle to rinse all the inside surfaces.

4. Rinse the container cap when there is a clear stream of water coming out of the container.

Probes and ‘sucker flusher’ transfer systems

Several probe designs are available for extracting chemical concentrates from containers. These probes extract the concentrate, allow clean water to enter to help remove viscous products, and rinse the container once it is empty.

Probes with water nozzles at the base must be continuously raised, lowered, and rotated within the drum to ensure thorough cleaning. After extracting the contents, repeat the rinsing process three times, using 5-7 litres of water per rinse (approximately 15 seconds per cycle at 3 bar pressure).

Other probes have a flushing head positioned at the drum's neck and a probe that slides through this fitting to remove the contents. After extraction, continue flushing with 15-20 litres of water to ensure complete cleaning.

Triple rinsing 200L containers

Cleaning of large 200 litre containers is difficult. It is recommended that two people are available to clean these drums. Our tips on cleaning are:

• Thoroughly drain the container to the lowest possible level.

• Fill the container with clean water to 25 per cent capacity and replace and tighten the bungs.

• Tip the container on its side and roll back and forth (performing at least one revolution) for 30 seconds.

• Stand the container on end and tip back and forth several times to rinse the corners before turning the container to the other end to repeat the procedure.

• Carefully empty the rinsate into the spray tank.

• Repeat this procedure two more times.

• Rinse both bungs in a bucket of clean water and replace them in the container.

• Empty the bucket of water used to rinse the bungs into the spray tank.

When you have finished rinsing

Follow these steps to complete the cleaning process after rinsing is undertaken:

• Look inside and make sure that all the formulation has been removed.

• Thoroughly clean the thread and outside surfaces of the container with a hose into the spray tank.

• Rinse the cap separately in a bucket of water and pour the rinsate into the tank.

• Inspect the outside of the container (particularly the screw neck and threads) to ensure they are free of any residues.

• Steel containers should be punctured using a steel rod or crowbar; this should be done by passing it through the neck/opening and out through the base of the container.

• To ensure the removal of all rinsate from a container being turned on its side, rock the container to eliminate any trapped liquid (this is especially important for metal containers).

• Allow all containers to drain completely and air-dry them (this may take a number of days) to ensure they do not retain any rinse water.

In every case, always make sure that the rinsed containers are drained, free of any chemical residue and allowed to dry.

After collection and inspection, containers are processed by our approved processors. Plastic containers are shredded, granulated, or heat-extruded into resin suitable for manufacturing new plastic products, including:

• Wheelie bins

• Fence posts

• Irrigation pipes

• Underground cable covers

• Bollards

• Bar stools (concrete supports)

• New chemical drums (with up to 30% recycled material)

Metal containers are recycled through standard metal recycling processes. Recycling these materials reduces the number of containers entering landfill and decreases the demand for virgin materials, conserving natural resources and lowering Australia's carbon emissions.

drumMUSTER does not accept bulk containers for recycling, the program can only accept containers between 1-205L. However, the good news is that the return, reconditioning, and recycling of most Intermediate Bulk Containers (IBCs) are managed by several proprietary programs. Below are some options for managing your IBCs.

Schütz Australia: Ticket return service

Schütz Australia offers a free ticket return service for resellers and end-users to return empty Schütz IBCs for collection and reconditioning. Here’s how it works.

• Minimum requirement: Stores must have at least four IBCs for collection.

• No rinsing required: Empty containers don’t require rinsing, though certain quality conditions apply.

  • IBCs must be undamaged.

  • Containers must be completely drained.

  • Label plates, product labels, and hazardous material labels must be legible.

  • Discharge valves and closures must be in place and operable.

• Collection timeframe: Schütz will collect IBCs from distributors within 10 working days of booking.

Schütz also offers:

• On-farm collection: For convenience, Schütz may be able to arrange on-farm collections.

• 100-120L drum collection: Minimum 10 drums, subject to the same ticket service.

For more details or to arrange a collection, visit their website or call 03 9360 9291.

Download the Schütz App for easy collection requests: search for "Schütz Ticket Service" in your app store.

Astron Sustainability collection service

Astron Sustainability offers an IBC collection service for herbicide, pesticide, and fungicide containers. Key requirements:

• IBCs must be re-usable and free of outside contamination.

• All openings must be securely closed with original lids, taps, and caps.

• The last product filled must be clearly indicated on the IBC label.

• Containers that previously held toxic, flammable, carcinogenic, mutagenic, or other hazardous materials must be neutralised to ensure worker safety.

For more details, visit Astron Sustainability.

Tank Management Services (TMS)

Tank Management Services offers IBC collection across NSW, QLD, and VIC. The following apply:

• Containers must be empty.

• All collections are subject to approval from TMS.

Visit their website for further information or to arrange collection.

Animal Medicines Australia (AMA): Animal Medicines Australia represents registrants, manufacturers, and formulators of animal health products across Australia.

Australian Fertiliser Services Association (AFSA): AFSA represents the interests of the Australian fertiliser industry, promoting safety, quality, and environmental sustainability.

Australian Local Government Association (ALGA): ALGA represents over 560 councils nationwide, serving as the communication hub for local governments throughout Australia.

Australian Pesticides and Veterinary Medicines Authority (APVMA): APVMA is the regulatory authority for pesticides and veterinary medicines in Australia.

ChemClear: ChemClear offers a collection and disposal service for unwanted agricultural and veterinary chemicals.

Cleanaway: Cleanaway provides waste collection and disposal services, with a strong focus on recycling and resource recovery.

CropLife Australia: CropLife Australia is the voice of the plant science industry, advocating for sustainable and effective agricultural practices.

Fertilizer Australia: Fertilizer Australia represents the fertilizer industry, focusing on the promotion of safe and sustainable use of fertilizers.

Fresh Produce Safety Centre – Australia & New Zealand: An industry-led, not-for-profit company dedicated to improving fresh produce food safety across Australia and New Zealand through research, outreach, and education.

National Farmers Federation (NFF): NFF is the peak national body representing Australian farmers and the agricultural industry.

Veterinary Manufacturers & Distributors Association (VMDA): With over three decades of experience, the VMDA is the leading voice for the Australian animal health industry.