Key Takeaways:
- Cleanfarms is hosting collection events for farmers in British Columbia to safely dispose of unwanted agricultural pesticides and old livestock/equine medications.
- Three collection depots are located on Vancouver Island between October 2-4, and four in the Fraser Valley between October 10-13.
- The program, supported by the crop protection industry and the Canadian Animal Health Institute (CAHI), has already collected more than 4,200 tons of unwanted pesticides and 67.3 tons of obsolete animal health medications across Canada.
- Specific locations, times, and accepted drop-off materials can be found on Cleanfarms.ca. Some restrictions apply to the type of materials accepted.
- Cleanfarms will rotate its program regionally. After 2024, the program will return to Vancouver Island and the Fraser Valley in 2026.
British Columbia farmers on Vancouver Island and Fraser Valley have a golden opportunity this fall. They can safely dispose of their unwanted agricultural pesticides, old livestock, and equine medications through a unique program run by Cleanfarms.
The collection events are thoughtfully distributed across multiple venues: three municipal depots are open on Vancouver Island, and an additional four ag retailer locations await farmers in the Fraser Valley. These events are scheduled for October 2-4 on Vancouver Island and October 10-13 in the Fraser Valley.
Cleanfarms’ Executive Director, Barry Friesen, commented on the program’s reception, “Every time we’re here, farmers show us how important this program is to them. They save materials and bring them to these events for drop off at no charge, recognizing that this helps keep their farms clean and ensures these materials don’t go to landfill.”
There’s a reassuring commitment from the crop protection industry in collaboration with the Canadian Animal Health Institute (CAHI). Together, they cover the entire cost of running the program and ensure that the collected materials are disposed of safely. Since the program’s inception, a significant amount of material has been collected across Canada: over 4,200 tons of unwanted pesticides and 67.3 tons of obsolete farm animal health medications.
Detailed information about this year’s collection sites, timings, and contact numbers can be found on Cleanfarms.ca. The program has a comprehensive list of materials they accept, including unwanted agricultural pesticides, certain commercial pesticides, and livestock/equine medications. However, farmers must note that some items, such as fertilizer, treated seed, needles, domestic pesticides, and other household hazardous wastes, are not accepted.
The rotational nature of the Cleanfarms program ensures its services reach different parts of Canada. In 2024, the program will focus on the Okanagan, Interior, and Kootenay regions. But fret not; it will reevaluate to Vancouver Island and the Fraser Valley in 2026.
About Cleanfarms:
Cleanfarms play a pivotal role in maintaining ecological balance. As an agricultural industry stewardship organization, its primary goal is to promote a healthier environment and sustainable future. They achieve this by recovering and recycling agricultural and related industry plastics, packaging, and products. Their activities are not limited to this program alone. Cleanfarms also focuses on recycling plastic agricultural pesticide containers, grain bags, and twine and ensures responsible disposal of seed bags and certain fertilizer bags.
Image provided by Cleanfarms
