Disposing of permethrin spray

[Michael O]

Hello. First-time post. I’ve got some Sawyer permetherin spray which is at least four years old and sat in the shed through a winter, so I got a new bottle. But I can’t figure out how to get rid of it, and I was surprised not to find an answer googling around. The one thing I know not to do is to pour it down the drain. Any ideas? Thanks.

[John S.]

http://earth911.com/recycling-guide/how-to-recycle-aerosol-cans/

[John S.]

how-to-recycle-aerosol-cans

[David Thomas]

Pouring it down the drain is, or is not, a bad idea.

If it’s going to your own septic system, there won’t be much dilution in your 1,500-gallon septic tank compared the millions of gallons each day going to a POTW (Publicly-Owned Treatment Works).  And you, unlike the PTOW, don’t balance the pH, nor add oxygen to aerobically degrade organic compounds (your septic system is an anaerobic system), nor are multiple inputs averaged and diluted by all the other flows (someone putting in vinegar is balanced out by someone else putting in drain cleaner).

Sure, the POTW says not to send them any chemicals, but in fact they do a good job of treating the vast majority of household chemicals, drugs, food, and human wastes that are sent their way.  Don’t pour a gallon of gasoline down the drain, because it’s volatile and potentially explosive and while it is unlikely to be ignited, it would bad if it was.  Don’t flush something that is acutely toxic to bacteria – like a large volume of highly concentrated chlorine solution.  And all the heavy metals (lead, cadmium, arsenic, etc) that you send them will end up in their sludge and make it more toxic / less useful for things like fertilizing farm fields.

In a  city with a functioning sewer-treatment plant, I wouldn’t fret over flushing some old permetherin .

[Sr Al]

Where I live in Portland, OR sometimes the sewage and waste goes right into the river if the system is overwhelmed.  Lots of cities in American dump it right in a river, untreated.

Reason I say that is that the permethrin is very toxic to fish.  Not sure what to tell you to do with it.  Its also really toxic to cats.  I’d call your city and see what to do with pesticides in your area.

[William Kerber]

Spray it around the perimeter of you house or shed as a bug shield. I live in SC and got rid of the bug guy and now spray my house perimeter with a permethrin solution. We see about the same results for less $$.

[Ken Larson]

http://tinyurl.com/k9k9fdk

 

 

 

[Matthew / BPL]

The city I live in has several toxic waste disposal events per year. You can drive up with paint, pesticides, chemicals and pretty much any household chemical and they will dispose of it properly. I’d imagine most cities have a similar event. I live in Phoenix, AZ which is not know as being the most progressive city in the country. If we do it, There’s a pretty good chance your local government does it as well.

[Jerry Adams]

in Portland there’s a couple places you can take toxic chemicals too.  Flourescent bulbs.  Batteries…

Metro recycling center

[Ken Thompson]

Use it up. Is there a use by/expiration date on the can?

[James Marco]

Permethrin is one of those items that’ should *never* be put into a sewage system, anywhere. It does not degrade and passes right through into the output water. It is highly toxic to aquatic life. However, it does degrade with sunlight (UV radiation.) A flat, shallow pan placed in your driveway on a sunny day will degrade it rapidly.There are few natural bacteria that can handle breaking it down. None that I know of in any septic systems or or water treatment facility.

As was stated it has its uses as a foundation spray, on sidewalks, and porches. It kills ants, termites, and other insects. It is deadly to cats, and, can be bad for some birds and reptiles if ingested. It is not bad for dogs. Commonly, dog “flea/tic” collars had permethrin in them. It can penetrate into the water table if sprayed of spilled on the ground. Dipping works well, but any excess should be rinsed out and treated as you would permethrin dip, even though the solution you dip in will be much less than you started with. Like DDT, it has a LONG half life, on the order of a century. Care should be used to prevent any accidental spills. Dilution can remove the effectiveness but not remove the chemical nor break it down.  Again, spilling on your blacktop in sunlight, or, other fairly contained area in direct sunlight will break it down.

[Jerry Adams]

hmmm…

makes me question it’s use, especially larger quantities you soak your clothes in

I avoid ticks mostly

Sometimes I hang clothes outside.  Mostly just boots, gaiters, maybe pants, I could do shirt.  Then spray with sawyer trying not to get any on my hands.  Just spray the outside of clothes.  Let dry a couple days.  Wash my hands really good.  I try to avoid washing the clothes because it’ll wash the permethrin away.

Permethrin isn’t too toxic and diseases from ticks can be bad so justify some risk.  Although the problems with ticks have been exaggerated at times.

It seems like you could do the same with even a family of clothes.  Wouldn’t take that long.  If you just spray the outside it doesn’t take too much.

[Author]

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