CleanFARMS
Through our stewardshipfirst™ and CleanFARMS program, more than 70 million empty plastic pesticide containers have been collected across Canada since the program's inception - making Canada a world leader in container management.
CleanFARMS highlights the industry and farmers' commitment to container recycling. Farmers across the country are participating in this voluntary-led program, resulting in the return of over 73% of all empty pesticide containers annually. CropLife Canada, its members, farmers and various industry stakeholders work together to ensure that empty containers are appropriately rinsed and disposed of safely. CropLife Canada picks up containers at the return sites, shreds them and transports the material to various recyclers, where it is manufactured into drainage tile for use back on the farm.
It is so easy, and there is no cost to the farmer. Containers should be pressure-rinsed or triple-rinsed and the paper booklet removed, then returned to their local dealer. Just rinse, remove and return.
With a 73% participation rate, more than 70 million containers recycled, and the best results in the world, we can safely call this a great success, pat ourselves on the back and leave it at that, right? Wrong. As with any initiative, when you achieve success, the smartest next step is to build on that success to achieve even better results. So we're setting the bar a little higher. With Canadian farmers clearly on board, a recycling rate of 80% is within reach. CropLife Canada and its members have committed to collecting 80% of pesticide containers that go into the marketplace by the end of this year.
The success of CleanFARMS is thanks to the commitment of farmers, manufacturers, dealers and distributors. Stakeholders will be working hard this growing season, staffing collection centres and transporting rinsed and returned containers to recycling facilities. Thanks to your commitment, we are all doing our part to continue to protect our farms, our families, our health and the environment.
To help promote the CleanFARMS container-recycling program, CropLife Canada has created Cammie the Container magnets, posters and informational cards. To receive your very own communication tools, contact fixterk@croplife.ca.
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