Assessment of the generation of empty pesticide containers in agricultural areas

Data about the generation of empty pesticide containers (EPC) is scarce, even in countries where an EPC collection system is applied. In most cases, data refers to the total amount of EPC collected, which is lower than EPC generated depending on the extent of application of the collection project. Moreover, results are not correlated to the kind of crops, area and number of farmers involved, making impossible to use them elsewhere. This study aims at estimating EPC generation indices. It focuses on the indirect assessment of EPC generation based on information given by the agronomists of agricultural supplies stores and agricultural cooperatives (stakeholders) consulting farmers. For the study area (Pella prefecture in Greece), EPC waste production was estimated for arable crops, fruits and vegetables and it was found to range from 0.9 to 35.3 pieces/hectare depending on the crop type. The weight of empty plastic pesticide containers (EPPCweight) indices were calculated at 0.97 kg/ha and 4.36 kg/farmer/year which are close to the scarce available literature data. These results can be the basis for the design of an EPC management program in areas where data of this type of wastes is lacking. Other results of this survey indicate that stakeholders (depending on their capacity) could be motivated to organize and operate EPC collection stations as well as to help farmers to comply with the national management plan. Based on the above findings, three alternative scenarios for EPC management are proposed to provide a basis for designing an applicable regional EPC management program. •A quantitative assessment of Empty Pesticide Containers produced were conducted.•EPC waste was estimated as: pieces/ha/crop, total weight/ha and weight/farmer.•Stakeholder's attitude to operate EPC collection stations is also investigated.•Three alternative scenarios for EPC management are proposed.