Saskatchewan farmers returned more than 60,000 kilograms of obsolete pesticides last year

Feb. 6, 2013 – Etobicoke, ON – Saskatchewan farmers turned in more than 60,000 kilograms of obsolete or unwanted pesticides last year for safe disposal.

The program took place over a three day-period in central and northern Saskatchewan where almost 60,400 kilograms were collected. This, combined with the more than 35,000 kilograms collected the previous year in southern Saskatchewan makes for a total of 95,400 kilograms of obsolete pesticides collected over a two-year period from Saskatchewan farmers.

“We’re very pleased to see two years of successful collections in the province,” says Barry Friesen, general manager of Cleanfarms. “Saskatchewan farmers are responsible land stewards and their participation in this program is a testament to their commitment.”

The obsolete pesticide collection program is operated by Cleanfarms, a national industry-led agricultural waste stewardship organization.

Since 1998, Saskatchewan farmers have turned in almost 380,000 kilograms of obsolete pesticides. After collection, the pesticides are taken to a licensed waste management facility where they are safely disposed through high-temperature incineration.

“The success of this program shows that Saskatchewan farmers want to dispose of their unwanted or obsolete pesticides in a safe and environmentally responsible way. We’re grateful that programs like the one offered by Cleanfarms provides this opportunity,” says Norman Hall, president of the Agricultural Producers Association of Saskatchewan.

The obsolete pesticide collection program generally comes to the province every three years and is free for farmers to participate in. In between collections, farmers are asked to safely store their unwanted pesticides until they can properly dispose of them through the obsolete pesticide collection program.

The program is part of the plant science industry’s commitment to responsible lifecycle management of its products.