Cleanfarms is Collecting Unwanted Agricultural Pesticides and Old Livestock/Equine Medications in Four Canadian Regions this Fall
Containers of unwanted pesticides and old livestock/equine medications being returned at a recent Cleanfarms collection event.
(Etobicoke, Ontario) – September 4, 2020 – Cleanfarms is gearing up to run its 2020 fall collection program for unwanted agricultural pesticides and obsolete livestock, equine and poultry medications so that farmers can dispose of these old materials safely and securely.
This year, Cleanfarms is running 65 collection events in four regions:
- Quebec – September 21 to October 8
- British Columbia – Vancouver Island, October 5 to 7; Fraser Valley, October 13 to 16
- Southern Saskatchewan – October 26 to 30
- Prince Edward Island – November 2 to 13
“Farmers can take unwanted, old and obsolete materials to our Cleanfarms collection sites at no cost to them. The program is designed to help farmers keep their farms clean and sustainable. When they use our program, farmers have peace of mind that Cleanfarms will dispose of the materials safely,” said Cleanfarms Executive Director Barry Friesen.
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 responsibly.
Since the unwanted pesticides and old livestock/equine medication collections began, the programs have safely disposed of 3.4 million kg of unwanted pesticides and 47,800 kg of obsolete farm animal (cattle, horses, goats, poultry) health medications.
Collection events are scheduled at local agricultural retailers’ sites. Dates and locations can be found on Cleanfarms.ca under “what to recycle & where”. This year, COVID precautions will be in place.
Materials accepted in the Cleanfarms program include:
- old or unwanted agricultural pesticides (identified with a Pest Control Product number on the label)
- commercial pesticides for golf courses and industrial and commercial pest control products (identified with a Pest Control Product number on the label)
- livestock/equine medications that are used in rearing animals in an agricultural context (identified with a DIN number, serial number or Pest Control Product number on the label)
The program does NOT accept:
- fertilizer, diluted solution, large quantities of unopened product, and treated seed
- needles/sharps, medicated feed, aerosol containers, premises disinfectants/sanitizers, veterinary clinic waste and medications, ear tags, and aerosols
- any other household hazardous waste.
Cleanfarms is a Canadian, non-profit, stewardship organization funded by members in the crop protection, crop storage and animal health industries. It delivers recycling and disposal solutions for non-organic waste generated in farm operations. In addition to the collection program for unwanted pesticides and old livestock/equine medications, Cleanfarms collects empty plastic agricultural pesticide and fertilizer containers, grain bags and twine for recycling. Another program operating in eastern Canada collects seed bags and in Quebec, fertilizer bags, for responsible disposal.
Cleanfarms works collaboratively with industry members, agricultural organizations and associations, and the government to ensure that Canadian farmers have opportunities to manage agricultural waste responsibly.
Questions about which products are accepted in this collection program can be directed to 877-622-4460 or email Cleanfarms at info@cleanfarms.ca.
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Contact:
Margot Beverley, Director, Communications, Cleanfarms
beverleym@cleanfarms.ca | (647) 557-1801
