Final answer:
After a food handler has emptied a pickle bucket, the bucket is now empty, although it might have some residual brine smell or liquid.
Step-by-step explanation:
If a food handler has emptied a durable 5 gallon bucket that originally contained pickles, the current state of the bucket is now empty. Considering the process of pickling as a method to preserve vegetables, such as cucumbers, in an acidic environment, and after the cucumbers are removed, the bucket would no longer contain any pickles although it might retain the smell or residue of the pickling brine. Since the question doesn't mention adding another food item, discarding the bucket, or imply that pickles remain, the bucket is empty.