When measures are taken to dispose of containers, often they are not appropriate. For example, many pesticide suppliers and national authorities recommend the burying or burning of waste pesticides and empty containers. But buried chemical waste can contaminate soil and groundwater, while burning pesticides and containers releases highly toxic fumes. 



Often pesticides, empty containers and contaminated materials are dumped in landfills or other general waste collection sites. Most of these sites aren't designed to prevent toxic materials from leaking into the ground or being washed out by rain into water bodies. In developing countries such sites are also usually scavenged and useful items such as pesticide containers are reclaimed.

Most pesticide users can't dispose of pesticides and related waste materials safely. And indeed, they shouldn't be expected to.

Under the International Code of Conduct on the Distribution and Use of Pesticides, manufacturers and distributors of pesticides are expected to provide facilities that allow pesticide users to dispose of empty containers and pesticide-related waste materials safely. National and local authorities must also help with the disposal of farmers' and householders' pesticide-related waste. They can do this by establishing schemes for collecting small quantities of pesticides, used containers and contaminated materials.

The FAO Programme provides technical advice and guidance to assist developing countries take the necessary to reduce the risks posed by used pesticide containers.