Northern Alberta farmers – Cleanfarms is collecting old, unwanted agricultural pesticides & livestock/equine medications October 7 to 11

Moose Jaw, SK — Now that fall has arrived, Cleanfarms is running its 2019 collection program for unwanted pesticides and obsolete livestock/equine medications for farmers to dispose of these old materials safely and securely.

Collection events are being held at the following locations:

Containers of unwanted and old pesticides and livestock/equine medications recovered at a recent Cleanfarms collection event.

ALIX – October 9 – Richardson Pioneer, 403-747-3000
ALLIANCE – October 9 – Meadowland Ag + Chem LTD., 403-741-8963
BARRHEAD – October 10- Nutrien Ag Solutions, 780-674-3511
BENALTO – October 7 – Benalto Agri Services, 403-746-2012
BOYLE – October 9 – Nutrien Ag Solutions, 780-689-3650
CAMROSE – October 11 – UFA Camrose Farm Store, 780-672-1115
EDGERTON – October 10 – Nutrien Ag Solutions, 780-755-3734
KILLAM – October 7 – Nutrien Ag Solutions, 780-385-2230
LACOMBE – October 10 – Richardson Pioneer, 403-782-9554
LAMONT – October 7 – Richardson Pioneer, 587-987-8973
LEDUC – October 11 – Cargill Ag Horizons, 780-985-3601
LEGAL – October 11 – Sturgeon Valley Fertilizers, 780-961-3088
PENHOLD – October 8 – Nutrien Ag Solutions, 403-886-4326
PROVOST – October 8 – Richardson Pioneer, 780-753-2511
ROSALIND – October 10- Nutrien Ag Solutions, 780-375-3966
SMOKY LAKE – October 8 – Nutrien Ag Solutions, 780-656-4343
ST. PAUL – October 8 – UFA, 780-645-7700
TWO HILLS – October 7 -UFA, 780-657-3333
VERMILION – October 9 – Cargill, 780-853-3200
VIKING – October 11 – Cargill 780-336-2292

Collection events are open from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. Materials accepted in the Cleanfarms program include:

  • old or unwanted agricultural pesticides (identified with a Pest Control Product number on the label)
  • commercial pesticides for golf courses and industrial and commercial pest control products (identified with a Pest Control Product number on the label)
  • livestock/equine medications that are used in rearing animals in an agricultural context (identified with a DIN number, serial number or Pest Control Product number on the label)

The program will NOT accept:

  • fertilizer, diluted solution, large quantities of unopened product, and treated seed
  • needles/sharps, medicated feed, aerosol containers, premises disinfectants/sanitizers, veterinary clinic waste and medications, ear tags, and aerosols
  • any other household hazardous waste.

The program is funded by the crop protection industry and the Canadian Animal Health Institute.

Questions about whether a product is accepted in this collection program can be directed to 877-622-4460 or email Cleanfarms at info@cleanfarms.ca.

Cleanfarms is a Canadian non-profit organization that delivers recycling and disposal solutions that help farmers and their communities safely manage farm waste, including small and large plastic pesticide and fertilizer containers, seed and fertilizer bags, grain bags and twine. Cleanfarms runs the unwanted and old pesticides and livestock/equine medications collection program in provinces or regions of the country every three years at no cost to farmers.
www.cleanfarms.ca

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Contact:
Margot Beverley, Director, Communications, Cleanfarms
beverleym@cleanfarms.ca | (647) 557-1801

Cleanfarms programs to recycle and manage farm ag-plastic waste contributes to job creation and economic benefit in Alberta

Moose Jaw, SK (September 27, 2019) – According to a newly released study commissioned by the Recycling Council of Alberta, Cleanfarms’ recycling program in Alberta for agricultural plastic waste benefits the province’s economic and employment sectors, including job creation, wages, provincial tax benefit, capital investment and overall contribution to Alberta’s Gross Domestic Product.

Cleanfarms is a non-profit, industry-funded stewardship organization that manages the collection, recycling and safe disposal of certain agricultural plastics materials and old, unwanted pesticides and obsolete animal health products used on Canadian farms in food production. On behalf of members in the crop protection and animal health industries, Cleanfarms operates programs in Alberta that recover:

  • Empty pesticide and fertilizer jugs/containers for recycling (23L and under)
  • Empty non-deposit, bulk pesticide containers (23L and over) for recycling
  • Unwanted and obsolete agricultural pesticides and animal health products for secure, special disposal

The study, Quantifying the Economic Value of Alberta Recycling Programs, shows that Cleanfarms’ existing small container program (23L and under) results in 19 direct jobs which contributes $2.4 million in gross value added and $1.1 million in wages for collection, transportation and processing activities in the province[1]. The longer-term value, however, comes from increasing the number of tonnes recovered for recycling.

The study estimates that as Cleanfarms recovery programs expand, the impact of job growth increases, too. For every 1000 tonnes collected, 16 direct jobs are created that relate to recycling activities[2]. Looking at broader impacts that include direct, indirect and induced employment, not only in Alberta but in other provinces where materials are processed, the impact of Cleanfarms’ programs on employment is appreciable and increasing.

This fall, Cleanfarms, under contract with the Alberta Plastic Recycling Group, is launching a pilot program in 20 locations to collect empty plastic grain bags and plastic twine in farm operations.  Estimates suggest this pilot program, projected over 10 years in this study, could generate nearly eight tonnes of recovered used ag-plastic resulting in more than a significant number of additional jobs. (More information on Alberta pilot.)

Cleanfarms is best known in the agricultural community for its longest running and highly successful small container (23L and under) recycling program. Last year, Alberta farmers recycled 1.36 million containers.

The program has been operating in Alberta for the better part of 30 years…and over those years, $30 million has been directly invested in helping Alberta farms create sustainable, clean farm communities by managing their plastic waste and unwanted and obsolete pesticides and animal health medications.

The report was funded by Alberta Economic Development and Trade, Alberta Recycling Management Authority, Beverage Container Management Board and Cleanfarms.

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[1] Quantifying the Economic Value of Alberta Recycling Programs, Table 4.10, page 83

[2] Quantifying the Economic Value of Alberta Recycling Programs, Table 4-3, page 86

Recovered containers awaiting baling and shipment to a recycling processor

Alberta Ag-Plastic. Recycle it! pilot collection sites now available

Cleanfarms is pleased to be working with 20 pilot sites for year one of the Alberta Ag-Plastic. Recycle it! Program. Collections (grain bags and twine) are expected to begin throughout October 2019. Check with your local site to confirm the start date, hours of operation and other details. More info here.

“We all share responsibility for recycling ag plastics”: Alberta Wheat Commision’s “The Growing Point” highlights opportunities to manage ag plastics sustainably

In a recent article published in the Alberta Wheat Commission’s “The Growing Point”, Cleanfarms CEO Barry Friesen points to the many opportunities all of us in the agricultural value chain have to recycle ag plastics and manage them responsibly. Find out about options to manage ag plastics sustainably throughout Canada and particularly with the new Alberta pilot that kicks off in October to recycle grain bags and twine. View: We all share responsibility for recycling ag plastics