Farmers looking to get rid of unwanted items like pesticides and old farm animal medications can take part in a handful of collection events next month.
The program is organized by Cleanfarms and gives producers the chance to dispose of potentially dangerous products in a safe manner.
Cleanfarms is a non-profit that works to ensure farmers can actively contribute to a healthy environment and a sustainable future.
This year’s initiative will include 72 collection events, with some being one-day blitz style events and others taking place over multiple days.
In southern Alberta, farmers can participate in events from October 21 to 25.
A full list of events is available at the Cleanfarms website.
Items that will be accepted at the collection events include unwanted or obsolete agricultural pesticides, such as seed treatment and commercial pesticides for golf courses and industrial and commercial pest control products.
Additionally, Cleanfarms members will collect livestock/equine medications that are used on farms in the rearing of livestock, poultry or horses in an agricultural context.
Farmers are advised that the program will not accept seed that is treated, fertilizer, diluted solution, large quantities of unopened product, full and unopened jugs of adjuvant or surfacant. Other prohibited items include needles and sharps, medicated feed, aerosol containers, premises disinfectants and sanitizers, veterinary clinic waste and medications, ear tags and aerosols. Additionally, domestic pesticides, fertilizers and animal health products and any other household hazardous waste will not be accepted.
The program has been run by Cleanfarms since 2010.
It was expanded four years after its launch in a partnership with the Canadian Animal Health Institute to include expired farm animal medications.
