Waste management and disposal of agrochemicals

Abstract

The formulation and packaging of agrochemical products involves the use of relatively clean process technologies. These, for the most part, incorporate active ingredients and adjuvants usually manufactured elsewhere and should not generate large quantities of wastes for disposal. A strong emphasis within the industry is now directed to point-source initiatives for waste minimization, recycling and reuse, which has further reduced waste outputs. However, despite these initiatives, it is inevitable that various types of non-recoverable wastes will continue to arise and require safe disposal. The disposal of all waste types arising from the production of agrochemicals involves an area of extreme environmental sensitivity. Strict legislative controls now exist in many countries for the storage, movement, treatment and disposal of all waste types. The onus of `duty of care’ is firmly placed upon the waste producer to ensure that all wastes are disposed of legally, safely and responsibly without adverse impact on the receiving environment.