Cleanfarms Collecting Unwanted Agricultural Pesticides and Old Livestock/Equine Medications in P.E.I. starting this week

Farmers can bring unwanted pesticides and old livestock/equine medications to a nearby collection event to dispose of them safely and help keep P.E.I. farms clean. – Cleanfarms Photo

ETOBICOKE, Ontario, Oct. 30, 2023 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — Starting this week, Prince Edward Island farmers can safely dispose of unwanted agricultural pesticides and old, obsolete livestock and equine medications through a Cleanfarms program.

Cleanfarms is operating seven collection events at local ag retailer locations throughout the province for a two-week period, starting on October 30 and ending on November 10.

“Every time we’re here, farmers show us how important this program is to them. They save up materials and bring them to these events for drop off at no charge, recognizing that this helps keep their farms clean and ensures these materials don’t go to landfill,” says Cleanfarms’ Executive Director Barry Friesen. “For our team, it’s a great way to meet with farmers and learn about what’s on their minds while providing a service that’s valuable for them and the region as a whole.”

The crop protection industry, in partnership with the Canadian Animal Health Institute (CAHI), covers the full cost of operating the program and disposing of the materials safely.

Since the program began, more than 4,200 tonnes of unwanted pesticides and 67.3 tonnes of obsolete farm animal (cattle, horses, goats, poultry) health medications have been collected across Canada.

This year’s P.E.I. collection sites are in:

  • Bloomfield – McCain Fertilizer – 31 Gard Rd., 902-888-7431
  • Charlottetown – Cavendish Agri Services – 19 Riverside Dr., 902-566-5597
  • New Perth – McCain Fertilizer – 4763 Baldwins Rd., 902-888-7431
  • O’Leary – Cavendish Agri Services – 41 North St., 902-859-2200
  • Summerside – Cavendish Agri Services – 848 Read Dr., 902-438-4884
  • Summerside – McCain Fertilizer – 168 Greenwood Dr., 902-888-7431
  • Travellers Rest – PEI Agromart – 26210 Rt. 2, Travellers Rest St., 902-436-1600

More details can be found on Cleanfarms.ca under “what to recycle & where”.

Materials accepted in the Cleanfarms program include:

  • Unwanted (or “obsolete”) agricultural pesticides (identified with a Pest Control Product number on the label, including used miticide strips)
  • 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 on-farm in the rearing of livestock, poultry or horses in an agricultural context (identified with a DIN number, serial number, notification number or Pest Control Product number on the label)

The program does NOT accept:

  • Fertilizer (including Nitric acid), rinsate diluted solution, large quantities of unopened product
  • Full and unopened jugs of adjuvant or surfactant
  • Treated seed
  • Needles or sharps, medicated feed, aerosol containers, premises disinfectants and sanitizers (including Formaldehyde), veterinary clinic waste and medications, ear tags, and aerosols
  • Domestic pesticides, fertilizers and animal health products
  • Any other household hazardous waste

Cleanfarms rotates the program to regions across Canada every three years. Collection events will return to Prince Edward Island in 2026.

About Cleanfarms

Cleanfarms is an agricultural industry stewardship organization that contributes to a healthier environment and a sustainable future by recovering and recycling agricultural and related industry plastics, packaging and products. It is funded by its members in the crop protection, seed, fertilizer, animal health medication and ag plastics industries. It has staff located in Lethbridge, Alberta; Moose Jaw, Saskatchewan; Winnipeg, Manitoba; Etobicoke, Ontario; and St-Bruno, Quebec.

In addition to this program, Cleanfarms collects empty plastic agricultural pesticide and fertilizer containers, grain bags and twine for recycling. Cleanfarms also collects seed bags east of British Columbia and fertilizer bags (Quebec and PEI only) for responsible disposal.

Questions about which products are accepted in this collection program can be directed to 877-622-4460 or email Cleanfarms at info@cleanfarms.ca.

Contact:
Barbara McConnell
bmcconnell@cleanfarms.ca
416-452-2373

Cleanfarms is Collecting Unwanted Agricultural Pesticides and Old Livestock/Equine Medications in South Saskatchewan this Fall

Farmers can bring unwanted pesticides and old livestock/equine medications to a nearby Cleanfarms collection event to dispose of them safely helping to keep Saskatchewan farms clean. – Cleanfarms photo

(Moose Jaw, SK) – October 12, 2023 – This fall, farmers in Saskatchewan south of Davidson can safely dispose of unwanted agricultural pesticides and old, obsolete livestock and equine medications through a Cleanfarms program.

There will be 20 collection events taking place at various local ag retailers in the region.

“Every time we’re here, farmers show us how important this program is to them. They save up materials and bring them to these events for drop off at no charge, recognizing that this helps keep their farms clean and ensures these materials don’t go to landfill,” says Cleanfarms’ Executive Director Barry Friesen. “For our team, it’s a great way to meet with farmers and learn about what’s on their minds while providing a service that’s valuable for them and the region as a whole.”

The crop protection industry, in partnership with the Canadian Animal Health Institute (CAHI), covers the full cost of operating the program and disposing of the materials safely.

Since the program began, more than 4,200 tonnes of unwanted pesticides and 67.3 tonnes of obsolete farm animal (cattle, horses, goats, poultry) health medications have been collected across Canada.

This year’s Saskatchewan collection sites are in:

  • Avonlea – October 27 – Genesis Co-op, 300 McRorie Ave., 306-868-2133
  • Balcarres – October 25 – Synergy AG, 200 Hwy. 10, 306-331-5706
  • Balgonie – October 24 – Nutrien Ag Solutions, 228 Old Hwy., 306-771-2032
  • Central Butte – October 24 – Hawks Agro, South Hwy. SK-19, 306-796-4787
  • Coronach – October 24 – Richardson Pioneer, 130 Railway Ave., 306-267-2100
  • Davidson – October 23 – Richardson Pioneer, Hwy. 11 S., 306-567-4778
  • Estevan – October 25 – Richardson Pioneer, Intersection of Bienfait Municipal Rd. and Sister Roddy Rd., Hwy. 39 W., 306-634-2342
  • Eston – October 23 – Emerge Ag Solutions, 708 Hwy. 44 W., 306-962-4132
  • Fillmore– October 27 – Top Notch Farm Supple Inc., Hwy. 33, 306-722-3200
  • Grenfell – October 26 – Richardson Pioneer, 1110 Hwy. 47 N., 306-679-3377
  • Gull Lake – October 26 – South West Terminal, Hwy. 1, 7 miles east of Gull Lake, 306-672-4112
  • Leader – October 24 – Simplot, Hwy. 21 S., 306-628-3886
  • Limerick – October 23 – Limerick Co-op, 1100 Railway Ave., 306-263-2033
  • Maple Creek – October 25 – Richardson Pioneer, 305 1st N., 306-662-2420
  • Moose Jaw – October 26 – Parrish & Heimbecker, 1-501 High St. W., 306-693-2977
  • Moosomin – October 27 – Parrish & Heimbecker, 1 mile west of Hwy. 1, 639-877-9010
  • Raymore – October 23 – Cargill, CNR Right of Way Elevator Rd., 306-746-2055
  • Shaunavon – October 27 – Southwest Terminal Ltd., 815 Hwy. 37, 306-297-4045
  • Swift Current – October 25 – Pioneer Co-op Agronomy Center, 2284 South Service Rd. W., 306-778-8705
  • Weyburn – October 26 – Parrish & Heimbecker, 1 mile east of Hwy. 39 S., 306-842-7436

Events take place from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. Other details can be found on Cleanfarms.ca under “what to recycle & where”.

Materials accepted in the Cleanfarms program include:

  • Unwanted (or “obsolete”) agricultural pesticides (identified with a Pest Control Product number on the label. A special note to Saskatchewan beekeepers – this also includes used miticide strips)
  • 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 on-farm in the rearing of livestock, poultry or horses in an agricultural context (identified with a DIN number, serial number, notification number or Pest Control Product number on the label)

The program does NOT accept:

  • Fertilizer (including Nitric acid), rinsate diluted solution, large quantities of unopened product
  • Full and unopened jugs of adjuvant or surfactant
  • Treated seed
  • Needles or sharps, medicated feed, aerosol containers, premises disinfectants and sanitizers (including Formaldehyde), veterinary clinic waste and medications, ear tags, and aerosols
  • Domestic pesticides, fertilizers and animal health products
  • Any other household hazardous waste

Cleanfarms rotates the program to regions across Canada every three years, so farmers are encouraged to store the products that are accepted in the program in a safe, dry place on the farm if they’re not close to an event this year. Next fall (2024), events will operate in Northern Saskatchewan and return to the southern region in 2026.

About Cleanfarms

Cleanfarms is an agricultural industry stewardship organization that contributes to a healthier environment and a sustainable future by recovering and recycling agricultural and related industry plastics, packaging and products. It is funded by its members in the crop protection, seed, fertilizer, animal health medication and ag plastics industries. It has staff located in Lethbridge, Alberta; Moose Jaw, Saskatchewan; Winnipeg, Manitoba; Etobicoke, Ontario; and St-Bruno, Quebec.

In addition to this program, Cleanfarms collects empty plastic agricultural pesticide and fertilizer containers, grain bags and twine for recycling. Cleanfarms also collects seed bags east of British Columbia and fertilizer bags (Quebec and PEI only) for responsible disposal.

Questions about which products are accepted in this collection program can be directed to 877-622-4460 or email Cleanfarms at info@cleanfarms.ca.

https://cleanfarms.ca

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Contact:
Barbara McConnell
bmcconnell@cleanfarms.ca
P. 613-471-1816
M. 416-452-2373

Quebec accelerates the recovery of agricultural plastics

Agricultural plastics used to store silage are commonly used on farms. They are among the broad range of products that will be collected and recycled or used as waste for energy. Farmers may see ecofees applied to this type of product starting October 1st.

SAINT-BRUNO, Quebec, Oct. 02, 2023 — Quebec farmers now benefit from increased opportunities to recycle agricultural plastics at the end of their useful life.

A regulation similar to the one covering product lines such as electronics, paint and household appliances has been extended to the agricultural sector. The objective is to make more accessible and reliable the recycling or recovery of plastics and packaging used by farmers. All agricultural sectors are covered by this regulation.

The regulation specifically requires that primary suppliers (manufacturers/distributors) of products fund the development and implementation of a comprehensive system for the collection, recovery and recycling of agricultural plastics in Quebec. From October 1, an ecofee is applied to certain agricultural products such as silage film, tarpaulins, food bags, and other products used in agricultural production.

AgriRÉCUP is the organization recognized to manage the recovery and recycling program throughout Quebec. Eastern Director, Christine Lajeunesse explains, “Farmers are citizens who care about the environment because it goes hand in hand with the health of farmland and the desire to pass on their business from generation to generation. They want their plastics and packaging to be recycled or recovered.”

The scale of the new programs will result in increased volumes of agricultural plastics being recovered for recycling or safe disposal. This will accelerate the progress of Quebec’s agricultural sector towards “zero waste in landfills”.

AgriRÉCUP, designated by RECYC-QUÉBEC as management organization

AgriRÉCUP, an organization that operates as a not for profit, has been a major player in the recovery and recycling of agricultural products in Quebec and Canada for several years. This organization has been selected by agricultural suppliers to manage this program. On July 11, RECYC-QUÉBEC approved AgriRÉCUP’s recovery and recycling program plan and designated it the recognized management organization (RMO) for the majority of plastic and packaging categories used in agriculture.

In collaboration with AgriRÉCUP, companies that supply agricultural products, associations and farmers have worked to develop a collection network.

Lajeunesse adds, “Farmers and the businesses that support them are proud to produce healthy food for us and our families. They also want to contribute to healthy and sustainable agriculture. It is great to see an entire sector and its sectors working together on a shared commitment to environmental responsibility.”

As it develops, the new program will result in investments in recycling technology and systems, which will fuel a stronger circular economy in Quebec.

Programs will be available for the following sub-categories of agricultural products:

  • Plastics used for the preservation or wrapping of silage or hay (e.g., films, nets, twine, tubes and their ends, bags and webs);
  • Bags designed and intended for agricultural use (e.g., grain bags and silo bags, bags of chips and bags of supplements, minerals, fertilizers, seeds and feed);
  • Containers, cans, barrels and tanks designed and intended for agricultural use (e.g., seed, fertilizer, pesticide, soil amendment and sanitary containers);
  • Maple syrup tubing;
  • Class 1 to 3A pesticides and pesticide-coated seed.

About AgriRÉCUP/Cleanfarms

AgriRÉCUP/Cleanfarms is an agricultural industry stewardship organization that contributes to a healthier environment and a sustainable future by recovering and recycling agricultural and related industry plastics, packaging and products through a network of over 1,500 collection sites across the country. It is funded by its members in the crop protection, seed, fertilizer, animal health medication,and ag plastics industries. The organization is known in Quebec as “AgriRÉCUP” and elsewhere as “Cleanfarms”, and has staff located in St-Bruno, Quebec; Etobicoke, Ontario; Winnipeg, Manitoba; Moose Jaw, Saskatchewan; and Lethbridge, Alberta. 

Contact:

Barbara McConnell | 416-452-2373 | bmcconnell@cleanfarms.ca