“Ag Stewardship in Action” helps environmentally-conscious farmers add to sustainability practices
Farming today is complex. We get that. And adopting sustainable practices makes it even more so. But these practices contribute to a healthier environment, are socially responsible and create opportunities for economic prosperity that are at the core of farming best practices today.
We also know that sustainability includes making sure the packaging used to deliver advanced crop and animal inputs don’t deter from sustainability goals by being disposed of improperly.
That’s where we come in. CleanFARMS provides avenues for farmers to recover waste packaging resources such as empty pesticide and fertilizer containers, and seed and pesticide bags for proper end-of-life management.
CleanFARMS’ “Ag Stewardship in Action” program ensures that empty plastic containers are recycled into new products like drainage tile for use back on the farm. There’s more. We also collect, at no cost to farmers, thousands of kilograms of obsolete pesticides and livestock medications. We arrange for careful disposal to ensure these products will not find their way into the natural environment.
Today, more than 60% of empty 10-litre plastic containers used on Canadian farms are recovered for recycling. That success rate is a testament to the unique nature of this ag packaging stewardship program. Unlike many other industry stewardship programs, CleanFARMS is based on the voluntary participation of ag product manufacturers, distributors, retailers, and of course farmers, all sharing a common commitment to farming stewardship and sustainability.
Farmers are our most important partners. We want all product users but most particularly farmers, to drop off clean, empty pesticide and fertilizer containers (maximum 23 litres) at collection sites. A network of more than 1,000 across Canada ensure all farmers have recycling opportunities nearby. Each is designed to store these smaller containers safely before being collected for recycling.
Key to the success of recycling ag product containers is proper preparation at the farm. Containers must be triple or pressure rinsed, with the caps and booklets removed. This procedure ensures a high quality, clean, and consistent supply of plastic that can be recycled into new products.
In 2016, CleanFARMS will expand our programs in Eastern Canada to collect pesticide containers and seed and pesticide bags, as well as obsolete pesticides and livestock medication. All of these programs are offered at no cost to farmers.
We also know ag packaging is evolving and so are we. The increased use of bulk containers (also known as drums and totes) is one example. Last year we worked with Alberta ag retailers to test the collection of bulk containers. What we learned there will help us expand this program across western Canada.
In another “Ag Stewardship in Action” initiative, CleanFARMS will continue to partner with the Canadian Animal Health Institute to collect livestock/equine medications in conjunction with obsolete pesticides. In 2016, collections will be held in the Peace Region of British Columbia, Northern Alberta, and across Manitoba, Ontario, and Newfoundland.
We always welcome news from Canadian farmers about the good work you do managing waste. Every year the Great CleanFARMS Challenge asks farmers to share their positive contributions to the environment through good waste management. This year, the challenge is coming to Saskatchewan.
Providing farmers with convenient programs that benefit Canada’s ag sector is our priority. We’re proud that CleanFARMS programs are among some of the most successful voluntary stewardship programs in the world. We look forward to working with farmers to achieve sustainability goals in 2016.
For more information on CleanFARMS visit www.cleanfarms.ca.
By Barry Friesen, P.Eng.
General manager, CleanFARMS