At least how many times do you need to rinse a pesticide container?

• A. 2
• B. 3
• C. 4
• D. 5

Answer: (B)

Rinsing pesticide containers is about removing as much residue as possible so the container can be disposed of safely and won’t contaminate people or the environment. Three rinses is the minimum widely required. After you empty the container, add a small amount of water, shake or swish to loosen any remaining residue, and pour that rinse water back into the spray tank or into an approved waste container. Repeat this process two more times, for a total of three rinses. Once rinsed, dispose of or recycle the container according to the label, which often means puncturing or crushing it to prevent reuse. The water used for rinsing, the rinsate, should be handled as pesticide waste or returned to the application system as directed. Some products or situations may call for more than three rinses, so always follow the label, but three is the common minimum.