MOOSE JAW, Saskatchewan, Oct. 12, 2023 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- This fall, farmers in Saskatchewan south of Davidson can safely dispose of unwanted agricultural pesticides and old, obsolete livestock and equine medications through a Cleanfarms program.
There will be 20 collection events taking place at various local ag retailers in the region.
“Every time we’re here, farmers show us how important this program is to them. They save up 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,” says Cleanfarms’ Executive Director Barry Friesen. “For our team, it’s a great way to meet with farmers and learn about what’s on their minds while providing a service that’s valuable for them and the region as a whole.”
The crop protection industry, in partnership with the Canadian Animal Health Institute (CAHI), covers the full cost of operating the program and disposing of the materials safely.
Since the program began, more than 4,200 tonnes of unwanted pesticides and 67.3 tonnes of obsolete farm animal (cattle, horses, goats, poultry) health medications have been collected across Canada.
This year’s Saskatchewan collection sites are in:
- Avonlea – October 27 – Genesis Co-op, 300 McRorie Ave., 306-868-2133
- Balcarres – October 25 – Synergy AG, 200 Hwy. 10, 306-331-5706
- Balgonie – October 24 – Nutrien Ag Solutions, 228 Old Hwy., 306-771-2032
- Central Butte – October 24 – Hawks Agro, South Hwy. SK-19, 306-796-4787
- Coronach – October 24 – Richardson Pioneer, 130 Railway Ave., 306-267-2100
- Davidson – October 23 – Richardson Pioneer, Hwy. 11 S., 306-567-4778
- Estevan – October 25 – Richardson Pioneer, Intersection of Bienfait Municipal Rd. and Sister Roddy Rd., Hwy. 39 W., 306-634-2342
- Eston – October 23 – Emerge Ag Solutions, 708 Hwy. 44 W., 306-962-4132
- Fillmore– October 27 – Top Notch Farm Supple Inc., Hwy. 33, 306-722-3200
- Grenfell – October 26 – Richardson Pioneer, 1110 Hwy. 47 N., 306-679-3377
- Gull Lake – October 26 – South West Terminal, Hwy. 1, 7 miles east of Gull Lake, 306-672-4112
- Leader – October 24 – Simplot, Hwy. 21 S., 306-628-3886
- Limerick – October 23 – Limerick Co-op, 1100 Railway Ave., 306-263-2033
- Maple Creek – October 25 – Richardson Pioneer, 305 1st Ave. N., 306-662-2420
- Moose Jaw – October 26 – Parrish & Heimbecker, 1-501 High St. W., 306-693-2977
- Moosomin – October 27 – Parrish & Heimbecker, 1 mile west of Hwy. 1, 639-877-9010
- Raymore – October 23 – Cargill, CNR Right of Way Elevator Rd., 306-746-2055
- Shaunavon – October 27 – Southwest Terminal Ltd., 815 Hwy. 37, 306-297-4045
- Swift Current – October 25 – Pioneer Co-op Agronomy Center, 2284 South Service Rd. W., 306-778-8705
- Weyburn – October 26 – Parrish & Heimbecker, 1 mile east of Hwy. 39 S., 306-842-7436
Events take place from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. Other details can be found on Cleanfarms.ca under “what to recycle & where”.
Materials accepted in the Cleanfarms program include:
- Unwanted (or “obsolete”) agricultural pesticides (identified with a Pest Control Product number on the label. A special note to Saskatchewan beekeepers – this also includes used miticide strips)
- Commercial pesticides for golf courses and industrial and commercial pest control products (identified with a Pest Control Product number on the label)
- Livestock/equine medications that are used on-farm in the rearing of livestock, poultry or horses in an agricultural context (identified with a DIN number, serial number, notification number or Pest Control Product number on the label)
The program does NOT accept:
- Fertilizer (including Nitric acid), rinsate diluted solution, large quantities of unopened product
- Full and unopened jugs of adjuvant or surfactant
- Treated seed
- Needles or sharps, medicated feed, aerosol containers, premises disinfectants and sanitizers (including Formaldehyde), veterinary clinic waste and medications, ear tags, and aerosols
- Domestic pesticides, fertilizers and animal health products
- Any other household hazardous waste
Cleanfarms rotates the program to regions across Canada every three years, so farmers are encouraged to store the products that are accepted in the program in a safe, dry place on the farm if they’re not close to an event this year. Next fall (2024), events will operate in Northern Saskatchewan and return to the southern region in 2026.
About Cleanfarms
Cleanfarms is an agricultural industry stewardship organization that contributes to a healthier environment and a sustainable future by recovering and recycling agricultural and related industry plastics, packaging and products. It is funded by its members in the crop protection, seed, fertilizer, animal health medication and ag plastics industries. It has staff located in Lethbridge, Alberta; Moose Jaw, Saskatchewan; Winnipeg, Manitoba; Etobicoke, Ontario; and St-Bruno, Quebec.
In addition to this program, Cleanfarms collects empty plastic agricultural pesticide and fertilizer containers, grain bags and twine for recycling. Cleanfarms also collects seed bags east of British Columbia and fertilizer bags (Quebec and PEI only) for responsible disposal.
Questions about which products are accepted in this collection program can be directed to 877-622-4460 or email Cleanfarms at info@cleanfarms.ca.
Contact:
Barbara McConnell
bmcconnell@cleanfarms.ca
P. 613-471-1816
M. 416-452-2373
A photo accompanying this announcement is available at https://www.globenewswire.com/NewsRoom/AttachmentNg/dab6dc40-9f37-4ed9-af94-468b0781ef9f
