Storage, Transport, and Disposal
Storage and disposal questions test whether you can keep pesticides secure and dispose of them legally. Know the storage basics: a locked, ventilated area; labeled containers; segregation of incompatible products; no food, feed, or drink stored nearby; spill containment; and inventory control to avoid expired products. Keep SDSs accessible. Store products in original labeled containers and never transfer to unlabeled food or drink containers.
Transport rules: secure containers against tipping, keep them separated from food and passengers, carry spill cleanup materials, and follow DOT requirements for placarding and shipping papers where applicable. Know that the driver and vehicle must be appropriate for the quantity and hazard class.
Disposal: follow the label and state rules; triple rinse containers; puncture or crush containers where allowed; and use take-back or permitted disposal options. Never burn or bury pesticide containers or pour rinse water down a drain unless the label and state rules allow it. Alaska has limited disposal infrastructure, so planning matters.
Traps: Assuming a container is "empty" when it still holds residue; storing pesticides with animal feed; transporting in the passenger compartment; and assuming all containers can go in the trash. Also watch for questions about expired products and secondary containment.
Rule of thumb: Lock it, label it, contain it, and never put a pesticide in anything a person might eat or drink from.
Worked example: A container has been triple rinsed. It is still not automatically trash-safe; check the label and state rules, and use an approved disposal or take-back option.