Farmers Driving Change This Earth Day by Recycling on the Farm

Farmers’ efforts in preparing and transporting used ag plastic jugs to the Cleanfarms site contribute to sustainable agricultural practices by facilitating their recycling.

ETOBICOKE, Ontario — April 22, 2025. This Earth Day, on April 22, Cleanfarms shines a light on the vital role Canadian farmers play – their innovative spirit and deep-rooted dedication are key to environmental stewardship in agricultural recycling.

“Farmers have always been at the heart of environmental stewardship,” says Barry Friesen, Executive Director of Cleanfarms. “Real change happens when farmers plant their boots on the ground and take the lead. From used crop input containers, to grain and silage bags, to every piece of used twine that’s returned for recycling – all of this and much more means less ag plastic that goes into the environment or the landfill — and that really adds up.”

Take something as simple as the return of used 23L pesticide and fertilizer containers: in 2024, Canadian farmers brought back 2.2 million kg to Cleanfarms’ over 1,300 collection sites nationwide. With a strong three-year average recovery rate of 78% (2021–2023), these containers are transformed into useful farm products in North America, reducing reliance on virgin plastics and supporting a circular economy.

As these sites open for the 2025 collection season, it’s a timely reminder of the value and the effort of all those who contribute to recycling these and many other materials in the agricultural recycling chain.

Across Canada, farmers are engaging with a growing array of Cleanfarms programs, such as:

  • Grain bags and agricultural twine across the Prairies.
  • A Canada-wide recycling program for large non-deposit plastic totes and drums for pesticides and fertilizers.
  • Safe disposal of unwanted pesticides and old livestock and equine medications.
  • In Quebec, a program that provides opportunities to recycle several ag plastics including maple sap tubing, and responsible pathways for feed, peat moss, animal bedding bags.

These aren’t just programs—they’re partnerships in action. Cleanfarms works closely with farmers, collection site staff, and industry partners to pilot innovative recycling strategies across provinces. By testing and refining solutions on the ground, we’re building practical systems that connect innovation with on-farm impact.

“This Earth Day, we’re not just recognizing the progress we’ve made,” adds Friesen. “We are strengthening partnerships, pilot projects, and community action that move us closer to a truly circular economy for used agricultural products and packaging.”

These programs are helping to shape a future where recycling and responsible management of ag plastics are a routine part of farming, supporting the health of the land and the generations who will continue to work it.

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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, peat moss, animal bedding, feed, ag plastics, and maple tubing industries. Its team members are located in British Columbia, Alberta, Saskatchewan, Manitoba, Ontario, Quebec and the Maritimes.

Cleanfarms.ca

Contact: Margot Beverley | 647-557-1801 |  beverleym@cleanfarms.ca

Quebec’s agricultural plastics recycling efforts featured in La Presse

Bags of agricultural plastics awaiting recycling, reflecting the increasing success of programs in Quebec

La Presse highlights the growing success of agricultural plastics recycling programs in Quebec, featuring AgriRÉCUP and the farmers leading the way. The article reports that 4.2 million kg of ag plastics were collected in 2024—up from 2.9 million in 2023. Christine Lajeunesse, Eastern Director at AgriRÉCUP, notes that farmer participation has exceeded expectations. Their continued involvement helps shape a more sustainable future for farming in the province.

Read the full article (available in French only): Le plastique est dans le pré – La Presse

The Great Twine Round-Up Contest in Alberta: Be part of it in 2025!

Entry photo from the early-bird prize winner, whose prize money is being awarded to the Lethbridge Northern 4-H Beef Club

Lethbridge, AB.—Three out of four $3000 cash prizes are still to be won across Alberta in 2025 in the Great Twine Round-Up Contest. The first prize was randomly drawn on January 15 from over 100 entries, and was awarded to the winner’s 4-H club, the Northern Lethbridge 4-H Beef Club.

As part of the Alberta Ag-Plastic. Recycle It! pilot program and in partnership with the Alberta Plastics Recycling Group (APRG) and Cleanfarms, this innovative contest helps encourage Alberta farmers to step-up their recycling of used plastic baler twine.

“Alberta farmers proudly do their part to make agriculture clean and sustainable,” says Cleanfarms Executive Director Barry Friesen. “Last year alone, Cleanfarms recycled 95,400 kg of twine through the Alberta pilot. This contest helps recognize all that hard work, while building a better future together.”

With funds granted by the Government of Alberta and administered by Alberta Beef Producers, a total of $12,000 is divided into four cash prizes of $3,000. Three of these prizes are awarded to the winner’s respective 4-H club. The fourth prize category is for independent entrants, in which the winner awards their prize to an Alberta-based ag charity of their choice.

“We are really pleased that so many Alberta farmers—including youth—are making a difference in their community,” said Treena Van Hierden, leader of the Northern Lethbridge 4-H Beef Club. “We are very grateful to our club’s members and parents for participating in this contest, and we also thank Cleanfarms for providing this opportunity to help our local agricultural community.”

APRG Chair Assar Grinde also greeted the news, saying: “Finding solutions to agriculture plastics is an undertaking where meaningful change happens one step at a time. We hope that the Great Twine Round-Up Contest can become a great example of how that approach generates important, lasting results.”

The three remaining prizes (two 4-H, one independent) will be drawn on June 18, 2025. Contest closes on May 31, 2025. Visit GreatTwineRoundUp.ca for details on how to enter today.

About APRG

The Agricultural Plastics Recycling Group (APRG) formed in 2016 to find solutions for agricultural plastics. The APRG is made up of partners including commodity groups, retailers, municipalities, academic institutions, recyclers, and farmers. It is now focused on the transition of the pilot into a permanent program as well as exploring solutions for other ag plastics such as bale wrap and silage plastic. aprg.ca.

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, peat moss, animal bedding, feed, ag plastics, and maple tubing industries. It has staff located in Alberta, Saskatchewan, Manitoba, Ontario and Quebec.

Contact

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

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Recycling in agriculture – ‘a story of innovation’ featured in Globe & Mail’s Next-Generation Farming Report

Click to enlarge

Canadian farmers have a proud heritage of producing food for the world. For this work, they rely on many plastic-based specialty products, for example, for storing grain; collecting, protecting and fermenting hay; keeping moisture in and weeds out of soil as well as handling sap from maple trees.

Visit: Recycling in agriculture – ‘a story of innovation’

Silage is a high-value, fermented feed for livestock. Fermentation takes place in silage plastic that protects and preserves the feed quality. Recycling silage plastics and bunker covers is just one example of the expanding array of options Cleanfarms provides to farmers to manage essential tools once used.

The Great Twine Round-Up Comes to Alberta with $12,000 in total Cash Prizes

Lethbridge, ALBERTA, October 24, 2024 – Cleanfarms, in partnership with the Agricultural Plastics Recycling Group is excited to announce the launch of ‘The Great Twine Round-Up’, a new province-wide initiative designed to promote used plastic baler twine recycling. This exciting contest offers substantial cash prizes to the winners’ 4-H club or district or an Alberta-based nonprofit organization or charity of their choice that supports agriculture.

Highlights:

  • Entry Period: November 1, 2024, to May 31, 2025
  • Participants: Alberta-based 4-H club/district members and independent entrants
  • Prizes: Four prizes of $3,000 each
  • Beneficiaries: Winners’ 4-H club or district or an Alberta-based not-for-profit organization or charity of their choice that is involved in agriculture

The Great Twine Round-Up tackles the environmental impact of plastic baler twine on Alberta farms by incentivizing recycling with cash prizes. Participating helps reduce landfill waste, prevents harmful burning, and protects soil, water, and air.

“Individual contest participants can win a $3,000 prize, all while helping the environment. Every year, Alberta farms use thousands of rolls of plastic baler twine,” said Barry Friesen, Cleanfarms’ Executive Director. “By rerouting the used plastic for recycling, we can significantly reduce its footprint on our environment and work towards a more sustainable future for our farming communities and future generations in the province.”

The more bags of twine each person drops off, the greater the chances of winning.

The contest is a component of the ‘Alberta Ag Plastic. Recycle It!’ pilot program through which Alberta farmers recycle used plastic baler twine and grain bags. Last year, Cleanfarms recycled 673,000 kg of grain bags and 95,400 kg of twine through this pilot. It is led by the Agricultural Plastics Recycling Group (APRG); funds were granted by the Government of Alberta and are administered by Alberta Beef Producers. For details: https://cleanfarms.ca/alberta-ag-plastic-recycle-it-program-details/.

“We’re very proud of what the ‘Alberta Ag Plastics. Recycle It!’ pilot has already achieved,” stated Assar Grinde, Chair of the APRG. “And we’re especially excited about this contest because we know many people that are invested in the 4-H program, and this gives them another way to demonstrate their commitment to farm sustainability and agriculture.”

For details about The Great Twine Round-Up and how to participate, please visit GreatTwineRoundUp.ca.

 About APRG

The Agricultural Plastics Recycling Group (APRG) formed in 2016 to find solutions for agricultural plastics. The APRG is made up of partners including commodity groups, retailers, municipalities, academic institutions, recyclers, and farmers. It is now focused on the transition of the pilot into a permanent program as well as exploring solutions for other ag plastics such as bale wrap and silage plastic. aprg.ca.

 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, peat moss, animal bedding, feed, ag plastics, and maple tubing industries. It has staff located in Alberta; Saskatchewan; Manitoba; Ontario; and Quebec.

—30—

Media Contact:

Margot Beverley, Director, Communications, Cleanfarms | Beverleym@cleanfarms.ca | 647-557-1801

Cleanfarms Collecting Unwanted Agricultural Pesticides and Old Livestock/Equine Medications in Nova Scotia starting in October

Unwanted pesticides and old livestock medications being dropped off and sorted at a collection site for safe disposal.

ETOBICOKE, Ontario, Oct. 23, 2024 — Starting soon, Nova Scotian farmers can safely dispose of unwanted agricultural pesticides and old, obsolete livestock and equine medications through a Cleanfarms program.

Cleanfarms is operating 11 collection events at local ag retailer locations throughout the province for a two-week period, starting on Monday, October 28 and ending on Friday, November 8.

“Every time we’re here, farmers participate in this program because having safe, reliable ways to manage these materials is important to them. Collection events offer an opportunity for farmers to dispose of the materials that may have built up on their farms over the past few years at no charge.” says Cleanfarms’ Executive Director Barry Friesen. “It’s beneficial to our team as well, because these events allow us to connect with farmers in different regions each year and learn more about their circumstances, all while providing a service that’s valuable for them and their community 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 4.53 million kg of unwanted pesticides and 74,500 kg of obsolete farm animal (cattle, horses, goats, poultry) health medications have been collected across Canada.

This year’s Nova Scotia collection events run from 9am – 4pm in:

  • Amherst – Amherst Co-op Country Store – 17 Lawrence St., B4H 3G4
  • Antigonish – Antigonish Farm & Garden Co-op – 91 Saint Andrews St., B2G 2G9
  • Coldbrook – Scotian Gold Co-op Ltd. – 7027 Hwy. 1, B4R 1C5
  • Collingwood – Bragg Lumber Company Ltd. – 97 Bragg Rd., B0M 1E0
  • Halifax – Halifax Seed Company – 5860 Kane St., B3K 5L8
  • Kentville – Cavendish Agri Services – 1205 Hwy. 359, B4N 3W4
  • Milford Station – Corridor Co-op Country Store – 2289 Hwy. 2, B0N 1Y0
  • Sydney – United Farmers Co-op – 502 Keltic Dr., B1P 6H3
  • Truro – Truro Agromart Ltd. – 547 Onslow Rd., B6L 5L3
  • Truro – Cavendish Agri Services – 38 Wade Rd., B2N 6S9
  • Wilmont – Cavendish Agri Services – 14062 Hwy. 1, B0S 1P0

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 including seed treatment (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:

  • Treated seed/seed that is treated
  • Fertilizer, diluted solution, large quantities of unopened product
  • Full and unopened jugs of adjuvant or surfactant
  • Needles or sharps, medicated feed, aerosol containers, premises disinfectants and sanitizers, 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 Nova Scotia in 2027.

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, peat moss, animal bedding, feed, ag plastics, and maple tubing industries. It has staff located in Lethbridge, Alberta; Moose Jaw, Saskatchewan; Winnipeg, Manitoba; Etobicoke, Ontario; and St-Bruno, Quebec.

cleanfarms.ca/materials/unwanted-pesticides-animal-meds/

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

Cleanfarms Collecting Unwanted Agricultural Pesticides and Old Livestock/Equine Medications in New Brunswick starting in October

Unwanted pesticides and old livestock medications being dropped off and sorted at a collection site for safe disposal.

ETOBICOKE, Ontario, October. 23, 2024 — Starting soon, New Brunswick farmers can safely dispose of unwanted agricultural pesticides and old, obsolete livestock and equine medications through a Cleanfarms program.

Cleanfarms is operating 10 collection events at local ag retailer locations throughout the province for a two-week period, starting on Monday, October 28 and ending on Friday, November 8.

“Every time we’re here, farmers participate in this program because having safe, reliable ways to manage these materials is important to them. Collection events offer an opportunity for farmers to dispose of the materials that may have built up on their farms over the past few years at no charge.” says Cleanfarms’ Executive Director Barry Friesen. “It’s beneficial to our team as well, because these events allow us to connect with farmers in different regions each year and learn more about their circumstances, all while providing a service that’s valuable for them and their community 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 4.53 million kg of unwanted pesticides and 74,500 kg of obsolete farm animal (cattle, horses, goats, poultry) health medications have been collected across Canada.

This year’s New Brunswick collection events run from 9am – 4pm in:

  • Drummond – New Denmark Trucking Ltd. – 194 Station Rd., E3Y 1W4
  • Florenceville-Bristol – McCain – 16 McCain Produce Rd., E7L 3H5
  • Gagetown – Appleman Farms Ltd. – 16 Fox Rd., E5M 1W6
  • Hartland – Agromart Hartland – 40 Industrial Dr., E7P 2G6c
  • Moncton – South Eastern Farmers Co-op – 200 Collishaw St., E1C 0E4
  • Petit-Rocher – Chaleur Fertilizers Ltd. – 558 Industry St., E8J 1T2
  • Saint André – Agromart Grand Falls – 38 Després Rd., E3Y 2Z3
  • Saint John – Halifax Seed Company – 664 Rothesay Ave., E2H 2H4
  • Salisbury – Cavendish Agri Services – 3030 Fredericton Rd., E4J 3E2
  • Sussex – Sussex Co-op Country Farm Store – 25 Union St., E4E 5L2

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 including seed treatment (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:

  • Treated seed/seed that is treated
  • Fertilizer, diluted solution, large quantities of unopened product
  • Full and unopened jugs of adjuvant or surfactant
  • Needles or sharps, medicated feed, aerosol containers, premises disinfectants and sanitizers, 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 New Brunswick in 2027.

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, peat moss, animal bedding, feed, ag plastics, and maple tubing industries. It has staff located in Lethbridge, Alberta; Moose Jaw, Saskatchewan; Winnipeg, Manitoba; Etobicoke, Ontario; and St-Bruno, Quebec.

cleanfarms.ca/materials/unwanted-pesticides-animal-meds/

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

Growing Opportunities for Canadian Farmers to Sustainably Manage Agricultural Waste in 2024

Ag plastics like grain bags, bale wrap and silage plastics (shown here) protect crops once harvested on Canadian farms. Cleanfarms programs aim to recover and recycle increasing amounts of it, coast to coast.

ETOBICOKE, ON (October 21, 2024) – Each year, Canadian farmers embrace greener solutions to manage their used agricultural plastics, packaging and products as opportunities increase through Cleanfarms’ evolving collection programs.

Cleanfarms is a national stewardship organization that develops and operates collection programs to help farmers responsibly dispose of on-farm agricultural waste materials. It is most well-known for its flagship collection program for pesticide and fertilizer containers under 23L.

The most recent recovery rate for these containers, from 2023 sits at 87% – an impressive 17% increase over the prior year, demonstrating farmers’ continuing commitment to eco-friendly waste management.

“Seeing the collection rate for containers under 23L increase each year motivates us to keep working with our partners and farmers across Canada to offer new and improved opportunities to properly manage these and other essential agricultural tools after use,” said Barry Friesen, Cleanfarms’ Executive Director. “Canadian farmers, our members and partners inspire us, and we’re excited to see what we can achieve together over the next five and even ten years as we continue.”

The pesticide and fertilizer containers collected through this program are recycled by processors throughout North America and turned into new valuable products like drainage pipe or lumber products that are used back on farms. But these aren’t the only materials Cleanfarms collects.

In all provinces except British Columbia, farmers can return empty seed, pesticide and inoculant bags along with their containers under 23L – bagged separately in plastic collection bags. Collection sites for containers under 23L and seed, pesticide and inoculant bags will continue to accept new drop-offs until the end of October, when sites close until Spring 2025.

Cleanfarms collects many more used agricultural plastics and products, varying from province to province. These include but are not limited to:

  • grain bags and plastic baler twine
  • large non-deposit totes and drums
  • silage plastic and bale wrap
  • empty peat moss, fertilizer bags and animal feed bags
  • unwanted pesticides and old livestock/equine medications (across the country on rotation, every three years).

Quebec has seen one of the most significant upticks in new collection programs in recent years. In 2022, new Extended Producer Responsibility (EPR) regulations enacted by the Quebec government targeted agricultural plastics, and in 2023, Cleanfarms (known as AgriRÉCUP in Quebec) was named the province’s official Recognized Management Organization (RMO). As a result, farmers in Quebec bring silage films (plastics), plastic bags, twine, and maple syrup tubing to collection sites for recycling. Farmers in Quebec have brought in over 914,000 kg of plastic maple syrup tubing since the program began in 2023, all of which would have gone to landfill had they not had the option to bring them to a collection site for recycling.

Farmers in Prince Edward Island have also welcomed new permanent programs, allowing them to return fertilizer bags, silage plastics, and used baler twine to collection sites for recycling and safe disposal. 2023 was the first year that collections of these materials were part of permanent programs, having evolved out of the pilot project phase at the end of 2022 thanks to new EPR regulations in the province.

Cleanfarms also operates pilot programs across Canada to develop solutions for agricultural materials that have yet to be captured by permanent programs.

During this week: Waste Reduction Week and throughout the entire year, farmers are invited to visit cleanfarms.ca or agrirecup.ca in Quebec – to find out what items they can drop off and how to prepare collected items for recycling or safe disposal.

“Cleanfarms permanent and pilot programs enable us to work closely with farmers and collection partners to put in place tangible solutions that tackle a wide variety of materials essential to modern farming practices in our country.” Friesen added.

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, peat moss, animal bedding, feed, ag plastics, and maple tubing industries. It has staff located in Lethbridge, Alberta; Moose Jaw, Saskatchewan; Minnedosa, Manitoba; Etobicoke, Ontario; and St-Bruno, Quebec.

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Contact: Margot Beverley, Director, Communications, Cleanfarms
Beverleym@cleanfarms.ca | (705) 796-8829

Cleanfarms Collecting Unwanted Agricultural Pesticides and Old Livestock/Equine Medications in Southern Alberta starting in October

Unwanted pesticides and old livestock medications being dropped off and sorted at a collection site for safe disposal.

LETHBRIDGE, Alberta, Oct. 15, 2024 — Starting soon, Southern Alberta farmers can safely dispose of unwanted agricultural pesticides and old, obsolete livestock and equine medications through a Cleanfarms program.

Cleanfarms is operating 20 single-day collection events at local ag retailer locations throughout the province starting on Monday, October 21 and ending on Friday, October 25.

“Every time we’re here, farmers participate in this program because having safe, reliable ways to manage these materials is important to them. Collection events offer an opportunity for farmers to dispose of the materials that may have built up on their farms over the past few years at no charge.” says Cleanfarms’ Executive Director Barry Friesen. “It’s beneficial to our team as well, because these events allow us to connect with farmers in different regions each year and learn more about their circumstances, all while providing a service that’s valuable for them and their community 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 4.53 million kg of unwanted pesticides and 74,500 kg of obsolete farm animal (cattle, horses, goats, poultry) health medications have been collected across Canada.

This year’s Southern Alberta collection events run from 9am – 4pm in:

Barnwell – October 22 – Independent Crop Inputs Inc., N.W. of 27-9-17 West of Hwy. 4, 94035 Range Rd. 17-3, T0K 0B0

Barons – October 24 – South Country Co-op Ltd., 123014 Range Rd. 234, T0L 0G0

Benalto – October 25 – Benalto Agri Services Ltd., 38531 Range Rd. 2-4, T0M 0H0

Brooks – October 25 – South Country Co-op Ltd., 7th St. and Industrial Rd., T1R 1B9

Carseland – October 21 – Cargill, 263026 Township Rd. 221, Corner Hwy. 24 & Agrium Rd., T0J 0M0

Drumheller – October 21 – Kneehill Soil Services Ltd., 700 South Railway Ave. W., T0J 0Y0

Dunmore – October 24 – AgroPlus Inc., 2269 – 2nd Ave., #22, T1B 0K3

Foremost – October 23 – AgroPlus Inc.,199 1st Ave. W., T0K 0X0

Fort Macleod – October 23 – Nutrien Ag Solutions, 250 Boyle Ave., T0L 0Z0

Hanna – October 23 – Hanna UFA Farm & Ranch Supply Store, 601 1st Ave. W., T0J 1P0

High River – October 25 – Nutrien Ag Solutions, 498012 -122 St. E., T1V 1M3

Hussar – October 22 – Richardson Pioneer, 151 Railway Ave., T0J 1S0

Innisfail – October 24 – Central Alberta Co-op, 35435 Range Rd. 282, T4G 1B6

Lethbridge County – October 22 – Parrish & Heimbecker Wilson Siding, 75006 Hwy. 845, T1K 8G9

Lomond – October 21 – South Country Co-op Ltd., 115 Railway Ave., T0L 1G0

Olds – October 23 – Olds UFA Farm & Ranch Supply Store, 4334 46th Ave., T4H 1A2

Oyen – October 24 – Richardson Pioneer, 1 mile East on Hwy. 41, T0J 2J0

Three Hills – October 22 – Richardson Pioneer, 503 – 3rd St. S.W., T0M 2A0

Veteran – October 25 – Richardson Pioneer, 400 Waterloo St., T0C 2S0

Warner – October 21 – Nutrien Ag Solutions, Junction Hwy. 4 & Hwy. 36, ½ mile N. on the Access Rd., T0K 2L0

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 including seed treatment (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:

  • Treated seed/seed that is treated
  • Fertilizer, diluted solution, large quantities of unopened product
  • Full and unopened jugs of adjuvant or surfactant
  • Needles or sharps, medicated feed, aerosol containers, premises disinfectants and sanitizers, 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 Southern Alberta in 2027.

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, peat moss, animal bedding, feed, ag plastics, and maple tubing industries. It has staff located in Lethbridge, Alberta; Moose Jaw, Saskatchewan; Winnipeg, Manitoba; Etobicoke, Ontario; and St-Bruno, Quebec.

cleanfarms.ca/materials/unwanted-pesticides-animal-meds/

Contact:
Margot Beverley, Director, Communications

beverleym@cleanfarms.ca | 647-557-1801

Cleanfarms Collecting Unwanted Agricultural Pesticides and Old Livestock/Equine Medications in British Columbia starting in October

Unwanted pesticides and old livestock medications being dropped off and sorted at a collection site for safe disposal.

ETOBICOKE, Ontario, Oct. 15, 2024 — Starting soon, British Columbia farmers in the Okanagan, Interior and Kootenay regions can safely dispose of unwanted agricultural pesticides and old, obsolete livestock and equine medications through a Cleanfarms program.

Cleanfarms is operating 11 single-day collection events at local ag retailer locations, landfills and transfer stations throughout the province starting on Monday, October 21 and ending on Monday, October 28.

“Every time we’re here, farmers participate in this program because having safe, reliable ways to manage these materials is important to them. Collection events offer an opportunity for farmers to dispose of the materials that may have built up on their farms over the past few years at no charge.” says Cleanfarms’ Executive Director Barry Friesen. “It’s beneficial to our team as well, because these events allow us to connect with farmers in different regions each year and learn more about their circumstances, all while providing a service that’s valuable for them and their community 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 4.53 million kg of unwanted pesticides and 74,500 kg of obsolete farm animal (cattle, horses, goats, poultry) health medications have been collected across Canada.

Please note: the October 22 Enderby collection event is replacing the Vernon Growers Supply Co. event due to the Vernon site closure. The remaining Growers Supply Co. collection events in B.C. will be held as scheduled.

This year’s British Columbia collection events run from 9am – 4pm in:

Enderby – October 22 – Okanagan Fertilizer, 603 Vernon St., V0E 1V0

Erickson – October 28 – Growers Supply Co., 754 – 35 Ave. S., V0B 1G9.

Kamloops – October 21– Purity Feed Ltd., 471 Okanagan Way, V2H 1G7

Kelowna – October 23 – Growers Supply Co., 2605 Acland Rd., V1X 7J4

McBride – October 22 – McBride Regional Transfer Station, 500 N.W. Frontage Rd., V0J 2E0

Oliver – October 24 – Growers Supply Co., 5911 Sawmill Rd., V0H 1T0

Penticton – October 25 – Growers Supply Co., 272 Dawson Rd., #180, V2A 3N6

Prince George – October 23 – Foothills Boulevard Regional Landfill, 6595 Landfill Rd., V2K 5H3

Quesnel – October 24 – Four Rivers Co-operative, 1280 Quesnel Hixon Rd., V2J 5Z3

Vanderhoof – October 21 – Four Rivers Co-op, 1055 Hwy. 16 W., V0J 3A0

Williams Lake – October 25 –153 Mile Fertilizer, #80-5101 Frizzi Rd., V2G 5E4

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 including seed treatment (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:

  • Treated seed/seed that is treated
  • Fertilizer, diluted solution, large quantities of unopened product
  • Full and unopened jugs of adjuvant or surfactant
  • Needles or sharps, medicated feed, aerosol containers, premises disinfectants and sanitizers, 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 the Okanagan, Interior and Kootenay regions of British Columbia in 2027. Collection events are being held in the Peace Region in 2025.

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, peat moss, animal bedding, feed, ag plastics, and maple tubing industries. It has staff located in Lethbridge, Alberta; Moose Jaw, Saskatchewan; Winnipeg, Manitoba; Etobicoke, Ontario; and St-Bruno, Quebec.

cleanfarms.ca/materials/unwanted-pesticides-animal-meds/

Contact:
Margot Beverley, Director, Communications

beverleym@cleanfarms.ca | 647-557-1801