Alberta farmers turn in more than 66,000 kilograms of obsolete pesticides for safe disposal in 2012

ETOBICOKE, ON, April 11, 2013 /CNW/ - Alberta farmers demonstrated their commitment to environmental stewardship by turning in more than 66,000 kilograms of obsolete or unwanted pesticides for safe disposal last year.

The obsolete pesticide collection program took place across the southern half of the province over a five-day period between Oct. 29 and Nov. 2 where farmers dropped off old or unwanted pesticides.

"Farmers are some of the very best stewards of the land and their participation in this program serves to highlight that," says Barry Friesen, general manager of CleanFARMS, which operates the program. "They responsibly use pesticides to improve their operations and grow a safe supply of food for Canadians and when it comes time to dispose of unwanted pesticides, they do it safely and responsibly through a program like ours."

CleanFARMS is a national industry-led agricultural waste stewardship organization. The obsolete pesticide collection program has been operating since 1998 and since then, Alberta farmers have turned in 203,889 kilograms of obsolete pesticides.

"This program creates a win-win situation; farmers are given the opportunity to safely dispose of unwanted pesticides through this easy-to-use program and by doing so, they take an important step toward protecting the environment," says Lynn Jacobson, President of Wild Rose Agricultural Producers.

After collection, the pesticides are taken to a licensed waste management facility where they are safely disposed through high-temperature incineration.

The obsolete pesticide collection program generally comes to the province every three years and is free for farmers to participate in. In 2013, the program will run in the northern half of the province. In between collections, farmers are asked to safely store their unwanted pesticides until they can properly dispose of them through the obsolete pesticide collection program.

The program is part of the plant science industry's commitment to responsible lifecycle management of its products.

For more information visit Cleanfarms.ca

Backgrounder

The obsolete pesticide collection program was launched by industry in 1998 as part of its commitment to the responsible lifecycle management of its products. In 2010, CleanFARMS was formed to manage industry-funded agricultural waste management programs, including the obsolete pesticide collection program.

What are pesticides?
Pesticides are substances registered by Health Canada's Pest Management Regulatory Agency (PMRA) that are used to control pest pressures, including fungi, insects and weeds, that can cause damage to crops.

What kinds of products are collected?
We collect all liquid and dry granular commercially labeled pesticides.  They come in all sizes and types of containers from as small as 250 millilitres up to 500 litre totes.  They can also include products delivered in multi-walled paper and plastic bags.  The products are mainly for farm use but may also include obsolete pesticides from golf courses, commercial landscape operations and structural pest control.

Why do obsolete pesticides exist?
Farmers and applicators can generate obsolete pesticides for a number of different reasons, including:

• They may have saved product one year and decided to use a new product the next year;
• A farmer may have leftover pesticides from previous years that has become de-registered and no longer legal for use;
• Farm ownership can change leaving the new owner with leftover product on site;
• Farmers may start growing different crops that require different pest control products than what they currently have; and
• Pest pressures can change from when farmers first purchase products leaving them with unusable products leftover.

How are obsolete products handled and destroyed after they have been returned?
All products are safely disposed using specialized high-temperature incineration, which is the most environmentally responsible disposal option. The incineration facility that CleanFARMS normally uses is approved by Environment Canada and is located in northern Alberta.  It is a world-class facility developed and built specifically for the management of hazardous waste.

Obsolete pesticides returned during the collection process are safely packed in leak-proof containers and transported by a licensed and insured hazardous waste hauler. When properly packaged and handled by trained professionals, these products do not pose a health and safety risk.

What safety measures are in place to manage potential spills?
CleanFARMS and its contractors have very detailed emergency response plans in place to manage any accidents or spills that may occur. Since the program began in 1998, there have not been any spills or accidents.

SOURCE: CleanFARMS(R)

For media inquiries, contact:

Erin O'Hara
613-230-9881
[email protected]