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

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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.

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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.

—30—

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

Cleanfarms Collecting Unwanted Agricultural Pesticides and Old Livestock/Equine Medications in Northern Saskatchewan starting in October

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

ETOBICOKE, Ontario, October 2, 2024 — Starting next week, Northern Saskatchewan 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 7 and ending Friday, October 11.

“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 Northern Saskatchewan collection events run from 9am – 4pm in:

Biggar – October 8 – Parrish & Heimbecker, 12 km West of Biggar on Hwy. 14, S0K 0M0

Broderick – October 11 – Rack Petroleum Ltd., Broderick Access and Hwy. 15, S0H 0L0

Carrot River – October 8 – Richardson Pioneer, 265 2nd St., S0E 0L0

Hafford – October 9 – AgriTeam Services Inc., 11 km West of Hafford on Hwy. 340, Turn North on Jackson Rd., S0J 1A0

Humboldt – October 10 – Humboldt Co-op, 10564 Crawley Rd., S0K 2A0

Imperial – October 11 – Richardson Pioneer, 1 mile North on Hwy. 2, S0G 2J0

Kindersley – October 9 – Corridor Co-op Country Store, 2289 Hwy. 2, B0N 1Y0

Meadow Lake – October 7 – Meadow Lake Co-op, 513 9th St. W., S9X 1Y5

Melfort – October 9 – Nutrien Ag Solutions, 810 Saskatchewan Dr. W., S0E 1A0

Neilburg – October 11 – Nutrien Ag Solutions, 300 Railway Ave. E., S0M 2C0

Norquay – October 8 – Norquay Co-op, 13 Hwy. 49 E., S0A 2V0

North Battleford – October 10 – Cargill Ltd., 12202 Durum Ave., S9A 2Y8

Porcupine Plain – October 7 – Nutrien Ag Solutions, Hwy. 23 W., S0E 1H0

Prince Albert – October 10 – Lake County Co-op, 4075 5th Ave. E., S6W 0A5

Rosetown – October 10 – Rack Petroleum Ltd., 3 miles North East of Rosetown on Hwy. 7, 32 Airport Rd., S0L 2V0

Rosthern – October 11 – Blair’s Crop Solutions, N.E. 33-42-3 West of the 3rd, 2 km West of Rosthern, S0K 3R0

Spiritwood – October 8 – Simplot Grower Solutions, ½ mile on Hwy. 24 N., S0J 2M0

Wilkie – October 7 – Nutrien Ag Solutions, 1½ miles West of Wilkie on Hwy. 14, S0K 4W0

Wynyard – October 9 – Wynyard Co-op Assoc. Ltd., 571 South Service Rd., S0A 4T0

Yorkton – October 7 – SynergyAG, 21 Rocky Mountain Way Rd. (Hwy. 9 S.), S3N 4B2

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 Northern Saskatchewan 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’ Unwanted Pesticides and Old Farm Animal Medications program is coming to Five Canadian Provinces this Fall

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

(Etobicoke, Ontario) – September 9, 2024 – Each fall, Cleanfarms teams spread out across the country to operate the Unwanted Pesticides and Old Livestock/Equine Medications (UPLM) program. This program provides an important opportunity for farmers to safely and conveniently dispose of unwanted agricultural pesticides and livestock, equine and poultry medications.

Cleanfarms is the national stewardship organization that develops and operates programs to help farmers manage agricultural waste materials. This year’s UPLM program features 72 collection events across five provinces – some of which are one day blitz style collections and others that are multi-day events. They will take place in:

  • Saskatchewan (North)
    • October 7 to 11
    • 20 single-day events
  • Alberta (South)
    • October 21 – 25
    • 20 single-day events
  • British Columbia (Okanagan, Interior, Kootenay)
    • October 21 to 28
    • 11 single-day events
  • New Brunswick
    • October 28 to November 8
    • 10 two-week collection locations
  • Nova Scotia
    • October 28 to November 8
    • 11 two-week collection locations

Farmers value the chance to round up unwanted items on their farms and bring them for safe disposal. The materials accepted at collection events are:

  • 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.

The UPLM program is a vital service to help farmers keep their farms clean by enabling the safe disposal of leftover chemicals, crop inputs and medications that would otherwise pose a potential risk to the environment if incorrectly stored or managed. As the program operates on a rotation around the country, farmers are used to storing these materials safely on their farms, and bringing them to collections when they are offered in their area.

“Farmers participate in this program because it provides a reliable solution to safely manage some of the materials that may have built up on their farms over the past few years,” says Cleanfarms Executive Director Barry Friesen. “They anticipate our return to their region every three years, and we enjoy connecting with new farmers in each province. This program offers the community peace of mind, knowing these items are handled with the utmost care and safety and the environment is always taken care of.”

Cleanfarms has been operating the collection program for old, unwanted pesticides since 2010, and expanded it four years later in partnership with the Canadian Animal Health Institute (CAHI) to include obsolete farm animal medications.

“Our partnership with Cleanfarms continues to be a cornerstone of our commitment to responsible animal health practices and stewardship. Through this long-standing partnership, we’re helping farmers properly dispose of unwanted products while reinforcing our members’ steadfast commitment to sustainable practices.” stated Dr. Catherine Filejski, President, and CEO of CAHI.

The crop protection industry members of Cleanfarms, in partnership with CAHI, cover the full cost of operating the program and disposing of the materials responsibly so that farmers are able to benefit from the program free of charge. All the materials collected are managed through high temperature incineration.

The previous round of collections in these regions was in 2021 and yielded 201,000 kgs of unwanted pesticides and 5,550 kgs of obsolete animal medications.

Collection events are held at local agricultural retailers’ locations for convenient access. Farmers can find the closest event to them at the Cleanfarms’ website under ‘What to recycle & Where’, then ‘unwanted pesticides & old livestock/equine medications’.

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/

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Contact:

Margot Beverley, 647-557-1801

A year of partnerships to drive sustainability in Canadian agriculture

Once used, farmers prepare materials for recycling and drop them off at Cleanfarms collection sites as part of the process of expanding sustainable management solutions for agricultural waste.

ETOBICOKE, ON (May 30, 2024) – Cleanfarms has posted its 2023 annual report, highlighting the new strategic direction of Cleanfarms for Canadian farmers to manage agricultural plastic products and packaging through recycling and safe disposal.

This year’s report sheds light on the partnerships and industry collaboration that provide opportunities for farmers and producers to be even more sustainable. Beyond the well-established collection system for pesticide and fertilizer containers and seed bags, new Extended Producer Responsibility Programs (EPR) began in Quebec and Prince Edward Island.

New EPR programs in Quebec targeted materials including maple tubing, feed bags, peat moss and animal bedding bags, twine and plastic films for silage and hay. In Prince Edward Island, new programs targeted silage wrap, twine and fertilizer bags.

“The important EPR updates in Quebec and PEI are an indication of the need for more sustainable solutions for agricultural suppliers and Canadian farmers, who care about doing the right thing with their ag waste,” said Cleanfarms Executive Director, Barry Friesen. “We’re proud to be able to provide those solutions and will continue expanding our programs to meet the needs of the industry and the individuals in it.”

“As new programs roll out, we are committed to continue working together with the entire ag value chain to ensure the programs are as cost effective, efficient, and accessible for farmers as possible,” Friesen explained. “The vision that was established by Cleanfarms board members in 2023 provides guidance with a solid plan to build conditions for success and help develop a circular economy in agriculture over the years to come.”

A circular economy for agricultural plastics is another driver for Cleanfarms operations, with a goal to ensure that plastics collected through Cleanfarms operations can be recycled into new, useful products on Canadian farms, rather than ending up in landfills or the environment.

“In 2023, our recycling programs not only reduced what went to landfill, but we also prevented over 9 million kilograms of carbon dioxide equivalent emissions from entering the atmosphere. Through Cleanfarms programs, the entire agricultural industry can make a tangible contribution to sustainability– it all adds up,” said Friesen.

In the 2023 annual report, Cleanfarms highlighted the total collection volumes of agricultural materials since the inception of the programs (rounded):

  • Plastic pesticide and fertilizer containers 23L and smaller – 56.3 million kg
  • Non-refillable bulk pesticide and fertilizer drums and totes – 482,000 units
  • Seed and pesticide bags – 3.82 million kg
  • Unwanted old pesticides – 4.53 million kg
  • Old, obsolete livestock/equine medications – 74,500 kg
  • Grain bags, agricultural film and baler twine plastic – 16.9 million kg
  • Maple tubing (in Quebec only) – 914,000 kg

Cleanfarms collects ag waste materials through valued partnerships with more than 1,500 recycling collection sites across Canada.

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.

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Cleanfarms.ca

Contact: Margot Beverley | 705-796-8829 | beverleym@cleanfarms.ca