Farmers turn in more than 22,000 kilograms of obsolete pesticides in British Columbia

Nov. 16, 2011 – Ottawa, ON – Farmers from Vancouver Island and the Fraser Valley turned in more than 22,000 kilograms of unwanted or obsolete agricultural pesticides this fall, bringing the total amount of product collected by Cleanfarms, previously under CropLife Canada, in British Columbia since 1998 to more than 207,000 kilograms.

“We’re extremely pleased with the results of this collection campaign,” says Barry Friesen, general manager of Cleanfarms, a national, industry-led stewardship organization that co-funded the program in B.C. “B.C. producers made a strong statement that they are committed to environmental responsibility on their farms.”

Cleanfarms partnered with the BC Agriculture Council (BCAC), through the Agriculture Environment and Wildlife Fund of the BC Investment Agriculture Foundation, to fund and operate this year’s program.

“B.C. farmers want to dispose of their unwanted or old pesticides in a safe and environmentally responsible way, and we’re pleased to help facilitate that through this program,” says Greg Norton, Chair of the BCAC Agriculture Environment Initiatives Management Committee.

The British Columbia obsolete pesticide collection campaign ran between Oct. 4 and Oct. 20 at five drop-off locations with participating municipalities and ag-retailers across Vancouver Island and the Fraser Valley. More than 3,900 kilograms of product was collected on Vancouver Island and more than 18,000 kilograms in the Fraser Valley region.

All of the obsolete pesticides were taken to a licensed disposal facility where they are disposed of through high temperature incineration.

This program comes at no cost to farmers and is the plant science industry’s commitment to the full life-cycle stewardship of its products. “Protecting the environment takes commitment and collaboration between industry and the farm community. This program is a prime example of the success we can achieve on this front when both groups work together,” says Friesen.

The obsolete pesticide collection program will return again next fall where it will collect unwanted pesticides from producers in the Okanagan, Interior and Peace regions of the province.

Cleanfarms also operates an empty pesticide container recycling program across the country and is currently looking at ways to manage other on-farm agricultural waste products.

For more information on Cleanfarms’ waste management initiatives, please visit www.Cleanfarms.ca.

Obsolete pesticide collection campaign comes to southern Saskatchewan

October 24, 2011 – Ottawa, ON – As fall sets in and another harvesting season comes to a close, farmers are being invited to safely and responsibly dispose of their unwanted or obsolete agricultural pesticides.

Southern Saskatchewan agricultural producers can drop off their unwanted pesticides at one of 18 collection locations over a three-day period between October 25 and 27.

The collection program is operated by Cleanfarms, an industry-led national not-for-profit agricultural waste management organization. A similar program will be offered in northern Saskatchewan in 2012.

“Cleanfarms is committed to providing programs to collect unwanted or obsolete agricultural pesticides in an environmentally responsible way, at no cost to farmers,” says Barry Friesen, general manager of Cleanfarms.

Saskatchewan farmers have a long history of good stewardship practices. Since 1998 they’ve returned more than 280,459 kilograms of obsolete pesticides. After collection, the pesticides are taken to a licensed waste management facility where they are disposed of through high temperature incineration.

“We know that farmers care a lot about the environment. This becomes abundantly clear when we see their participation rates in programs like the obsolete pesticide collection program as well as our empty pesticide container recycling program,” says Friesen.

Farmers are invited to return all of their obsolete or unwanted agricultural pesticides in a secure container with the product label attached. This program is strictly for agricultural pesticides; adjuvents, fertilizers, treated seed, paint, solvents and domestic pesticides will not be accepted.

Collections will take place at the following locations from October 25 – 27:

  • Assiniboia, Viterra
  • Balcarres, Cargill
  • Central Butte, Hawks Agro
  • Estevan, Richardson Pioneer
  • Indian Head, Viterra
  • Kindersley, Cargill
  • Mankota, Viterra
  • Maple Creek, Viterra
  • Melville, Viterra
  • Moose Jaw, Cargill
  • Regina, Viterra
  • Redvers, Advantage Coop
  • Shaunavon, Shaunavon Coop
  • Strasbourg, Richardson Pioneer
  • Swift Current, Viterra
  • Weyburn, Weyburn Inland Terminal
  • Whitewood, Richardson Pioneer
  • Yorkton, CargillFor more information, visit www.cleanfarms.ca. For media inquiries, please contact:Erin O’Hara 613-230-9881 oharae@croplife.ca

Obsolete pesticide collection campaign comes to the Fraser Valley

October 11, 2011 ‐ Ottawa, ON – Farmers in the Fraser Valley region can safely and responsibly dispose of their unwanted or obsolete agricultural pesticides at one of two locations.

Cleanfarms, an industry‐led national not‐for‐profit agricultural waste management organization, is heading the collection campaign, which will take place in two locations across the Fraser Valley beginning today. Collections took place in the Vancouver Island region earlier in the month.

“Cleanfarms is committed to providing programs to collect unwanted or obsolete agricultural pesticides in an environmentally responsible way, at no cost to farmers,” says Barry Friesen, general manager of Cleanfarms.

British Columbia farmers have demonstrated their commitment to good stewardship over the years. Since 1998 they’ve returned more than 185,000 kilograms of obsolete pesticides in B.C. After collection, the pesticides are taken to a licensed waste management facility where they are disposed of through high temperature incineration.

Co‐funders of the program, the BC Agriculture Council (BCAC), through the Agriculture Environment and Wildlife Fund of the BC Investment Agriculture Foundation, welcomed the opportunity to participate in this initiative.

“We’re pleased to support and be part of this program as it offers a tremendous service to farmers and plays an important role in protecting the environment for all British Columbians,” says Greg Norton, Chair of the BCAC Agriculture Environment Initiatives Management Committee.

Farmers are invited to return all of their obsolete or unwanted agricultural pesticides in a secure container with the label attached. This program is strictly for agricultural pesticides; adjuvents, treated seed, paint, solvents and domestic pesticides will not be accepted.

Collections will take place at the following locations and dates:

  • October 11 & 12 – Agrium Advanced Technologies (formerly Evergro Canada Inc.), Delta
  • October 19 & 20 – Abbotsford Mission Recycling Depot, Abbotsford All collection locations will be open from 10 am to 4 pm.
    For more information, visit www.cleanfarms.ca.
    For media inquiries, please contact:Erin O’Hara 613‐230‐9881 oharae@croplife.caGrace Cho

604‐847‐3698

Communications@bcac.bc.ca