Pesticide Storage, Transport, and Disposal
Store, move, and dispose safely
Storage, transport, and disposal questions test practical handling rules. Storage: keep pesticides in a locked, well-ventilated area away from food, feed, seed, and animals; store on shelves above floor level to contain leaks; keep containers in original labeled packaging; separate flammables; and maintain an inventory. Never store pesticides in food or drink containers - this is a leading cause of poisoning.
Transport: secure containers upright in the vehicle, keep them separated from food and passengers, carry spill cleanup materials, and know that placarding and DOT rules may apply to large quantities. Do not transport pesticides in the passenger compartment. Disposal: follow the label; triple-rinse empty containers (fill one-quarter, rinse, drain into the spray tank, repeat three times), then puncture and dispose per state rules. Never burn or bury containers unless the label permits. Handle leftover mix as a pesticide - apply it to a labeled site at the labeled rate, never dump it. Understand that Arkansas has specific container and disposal requirements.
Trap: questions that suggest rinsing containers into a drain or leaving them open - rinse water belongs in the spray tank, not the environment. Another trap: assuming an empty container is safe; it is still a pesticide container until triple-rinsed and properly disposed.
Rule of thumb: lock it, label it, ventilate it, and keep it away from food, feed, and children.