Waste experts warn of 6 easy-to-make mistakes to avoid when disposing of garden chemicals
Making space in your shed this summer? Here are some mistakes to avoid when dealing with chemical disposal
Summer is a great time to get out in the garden and sort through your shed and other outdoor storage. However, when throwing away old chemicals like weed killers and pest deterrents, there are a few things to keep in mind.
When sorting out your garden, it's all too easy to get carried away and start throwing items into the bin. And while decluttering your shed is an important task to stay on top of, if you have lots of leftover weedkiller, pesticides or cleaners, you'll need to take a little caution when disposing of them.
Similar to the heaps of things you can't simply throw in your garden waste bin, several chemicals can't be binned with your regular waste. To keep you, your plants and the environment safe, experts outline what to avoid binning when clearing out this summer.
6 mistakes to avoid when disposing of garden chemicals
Although chemical products are not the most sustainable garden idea, they do help with getting rid of weeds in your grass and keeping certain pests away. But to avoid doing more damage to you and your garden, here's what not to do when throwing them away.
1. Throwing weedkiller in the bin
It's no secret that chemicals are one of the best ways to get rid of weeds in your garden, but if you've got some leftover and want to dispose of it, it's not as simple as throwing it into your regular bin.
"Weedkillers and pesticides contain harmful chemicals that, if thrown into a general household waste bin, can pose risks to human health or the environment if they are not disposed of correctly," explains Mark Hall, general waste expert at Bins.co.uk.
"If a bottle leaks inside a wheelie bin, refuse vehicle or waste facility, it can contaminate other materials and create an avoidable handling risk for collection crews. Even if there is only a small amount left in the container, households should avoid dumping it in general waste," he continues.
"Instead, check the correct local disposal route. They can do this by checking whether their council offers a hazardous waste disposal service for items such as chemicals," Mark adds.
With 12+ years’ experience in the Waste Management sector, Mark's work focuses on making commercial waste management clearer, more accessible, and more environmentally responsible, with an emphasis on recycling and reducing reliance on landfills.
2. Pouring chemicals down drains or onto soil
Although having a homemade compost heap is great for dumping your kitchen scraps onto, it's not a spot to throw anything away. And neither are your garden drains.
"Pouring leftover weedkiller, pesticide or patio cleaner down a sink, toilet, outside drain or onto bare soil may seem like a quick way to get rid of a small amount, but it can simply move the problem elsewhere," states Mark.
"Water Treatment Systems in the UK aren’t designed to filter out toxins in chemicals like these. The toxins will enter the environment, pollute public water and harm aquatic life," he continues.
That's why there are several things you shouldn't pour down your drains inside either.
3. Keeping chemicals in unlabelled bottles
Whether you're decluttering your garage or a small trunk storage, it's crucial to label any chemical products and ensure they're not leaking.
"Old garden chemicals are often found in garages and sheds long after the original label has faded, peeled away or been thrown out," Mark starts. "This is where the risk increases, because no one can be fully sure what the product is, how old it is, what it should be used for, or how it should be disposed of."
"Keeping chemicals and pesticides in their original packaging is important because it has been assessed for pesticide storage. The label gives the correct instructions for safe use, storage and disposal," he continues.
"If a product is unlabelled, leaking, or stored in the wrong container, households should avoid opening it, mixing it with anything else, or pouring it down the drain. It should be kept away from children and pets until the local council or hazardous waste service can advise on the safest next step," Mark warns.
4. Mixing contaminated containers in recycling
Even when you've safely emptied the bottles of chemicals, or perhaps used them up completing your summer gardening tasks, the bottles themselves can't be thrown away into general recycling.
"Empty garden chemical bottles should not automatically be placed into general recycling, especially if there is still residue inside or the label gives specific disposal instructions," says Mark.
"Even small amounts of leftover chemicals can contaminate other recyclable materials. This is particularly easy to overlook during a bigger garden clear-out, when plant pots, compost bags, broken tools and old bottles may all be put into the same pile," he points out.
"It’s always important to check each bottle's disposal instructions before disposing of it. If the container is not fully empty, or if there is any doubt about whether it can be recycled, it should be kept separate until the correct disposal advice has been checked," Mark explains.
5. Not keeping chemicals somewhere safe
Aside from the usual garden jobs to do before guests arrive, if you have any of these old chemicals around your garden waiting to be disposed of, it's important to put them out of reach.
"When clearing out a garden and/or the garden shed, garden chemicals can be left out, especially if bottles are moved onto patios, driveways or lawns," Mark explains. "This creates a risk for others, especially if bottles are leaking or labels are missing."
"Any unwanted chemicals should be kept sealed, upright and out of reach until they can be disposed of correctly, and not left in direct sunlight where containers may weaken or expand and potentially burst, causing injury to anyone coming into contact with them," he adds.
Finding a safe place for them is key and can help avoid any possible injuries.
6. Assuming all recycling centres accept garden chemicals
When recycling products like chemicals, it's always best to check your local council and recycling centres' rules. Even if you're taking your old products to the dump, you'll need to make sure they'll accept them.
"Not every household waste recycling centre will accept garden chemicals in the same way," Mark highlights. "Some councils may accept small amounts of household hazardous waste at specific sites, while others may require a booking, a permit or a separate collection."
"Taking garden chemicals to the wrong place can lead to wasted journeys and may increase the temptation to dispose of them incorrectly later. The safest approach is to check your council’s hazardous waste guidance first, and where possible, keep the product sealed and labelled during transport," he continues.
Don't make a common summer garden mistake and leave your chemical products lying around in a mess. Tidying and disposing of them properly will give you peace of mind and keep you and your loved ones safe.
