What is typically the largest source of pesticide waste you must dispose of?

• A. Empty containers
• B. Leftover pesticides
• C. Rinsate
• D. Packaging materials

Answer: (A)

Empty containers are the main source of pesticide waste because they come from every application and can still hold residues even after use. Regulations require them to be emptied and thoroughly rinsed (often triple-rinsed) to remove as much product as possible before disposal, which creates a substantial amount of waste that must be handled as hazardous material. Leftover pesticides and rinsate are hazardous too, but their volume per job is typically smaller than the total amount of containers that must be disposed of, and packaging materials are often recyclable or disposed of separately. So the mass of empty containers drives the largest portion of pesticide waste disposal.