Newfoundland farmers turn in more than 1,100 kilograms of obsolete pesticides for safe disposal in 2013

ETOBICOKE, ON, Feb. 13, 2014 /CNW/ - Newfoundland farmers demonstrated their commitment to environmental stewardship by turning in more than 1,100 kilograms of obsolete or unwanted pesticides for safe disposal in 2013. The obsolete pesticide collection program took place at three collection sites across the province last November.

"The success of this collection just reaffirms the commitment of Newfoundland farmers to environmental responsibility," says Barry Friesen, general manager of CleanFARMS. "When it's time to dispose of unwanted pesticides, they do so safely and responsibly. This improves their operations and allows them to grow safe food for Canadians."

CleanFARMS, a national, industry-led agricultural waste stewardship organization, partnered with the Newfoundland & Labrador Department of Environment and Conservation, and the Newfoundland and Labrador Federation of Agriculture (NLFA) to deliver this program to farmers.

"Farmers in Newfoundland and Labrador are happy to participate in this program because it is a win-win, being good for the environment and for their operations," said Eugene Legge, NLFA president.

Since the program launched in 1998, more than 1.9 million kilograms of obsolete pesticide has been collected across Canada and safely destroyed. After collection, pesticides are taken to a licensed waste management facility where they are safely disposed of through high-temperature incineration.

This was the third time the program was run in Newfoundland. CleanFARMS has now collected over 4,880 kilograms in the province.

The obsolete pesticide collection program generally comes to Newfoundland every three years at no cost to farmers. In between collections, farmers are asked to safely store their unwanted pesticides until they can properly dispose of them through the program.

This CleanFARMS program is part of the plant science industry's commitment to responsible lifecycle management of its products. For more information visit CleanFARMS.ca.

SOURCE: CleanFARMS Inc.

For media inquiries, please contact:

Francine Charbonneau
CleanFARMS
613-230-9881
[email protected]

Matthew Carlson
Newfoundland and Labrador Federation of Agriculture
709-747-4830
[email protected]