Rocky View County collected more than 9,600 kilograms of obsolete pesticides

February 16, 2012 – Etobicoke, ON – Farmers in Rocky View County, Alta., turned in 9,635 kilograms of obsolete pesticides during a collection program last year.

“This program is a really important one,” says Barry Friesen, general manager of Cleanfarms, which partnered with Rocky View County to offer the program. “Farmers are always looking to make smart choices for their farms and for the environment. This program allows them to dispose of old or unwanted pesticides in an environmentally responsible way.”

The Rocky View County obsolete pesticide collection program was held at 12 locations over the course of the spring, summer and fall of 2011. Farmers were invited to drop off their unwanted pesticides at no cost.

“We are very happy with the partnership we formed with Cleanfarms,” says Joanne Walroth, solid waste and recycling officer for Rocky View County. “The partnership enables us to provide a safe and cost effective way for residents to recycle obsolete farm chemicals.”

The Cleanfarms obsolete pesticide collection program is a national, industry-led program that has collected more than 1.5 million kilograms of obsolete, commercial-grade pesticides since 1998. After collection, the pesticides are taken to a licensed disposal facility where they are disposed of through high temperature incineration.

“This was the second year in a row that Cleanfarms partnered with Rocky View County. This relationship continues to be a successful one – and one that benefits farmers, the community and the environment,” says Friesen.

For more information on the industry’s recycling initiatives, please visit www.Cleanfarms.ca.