Which of the following is an acceptable practice for rinsed pesticide containers?

• A. Use rinsed containers for general storage
• B. Leave rinsed containers in the sun
• C. Puncture rinsed containers to drain more completely
• D. Never puncture rinsed pesticide containers

Answer: (D)

After rinsing, treat pesticide containers as potentially hazardous and dispose of them according to the label directions or your local program. The goal is to prevent any residue from leaking or being misused. Using rinsed containers for general storage isn’t safe because trace residues can contaminate other materials. Leaving rinsed containers in the sun isn’t advisable because heat and sunlight can damage the container and label and doesn’t ensure proper disposal. Draining more completely by puncturing creates openings that can leak and complicate disposal, and many programs require containers to stay intact. For these reasons, never puncture rinsed pesticide containers and follow the prescribed disposal or recycling procedures.