Rinsing Pesticide Containers

Proper rinsing of pesticide containers is easy to do, saves money, and helps protect people and the environment. It also helps prevent potential problems with unrinsed containers, rinsate storage, and pesticide wastes. Even during a busy season the few extra minutes it takes to properly rinse empty pesticide containers is time well spent. —Rinsate from the containers, when added directly into the sprayer tank, efficiently and economically uses all pesticide in the container. This eliminates the need to store and later dispose of the rinsate. —Unless rinsed from the container immediately, some pesticides will solidify and become difficult to remove. —Rinsing containers removes a potential source of pesticide exposure to people, animals, and wildlife. —Proper rinsing is required by federal and state regulations and is a good, sound agricultural and environmental practice.