A national agricultural stewardship organization that collects unwanted pesticides and old, obsolete livestock and equine medication from farmers and producers will soon be in Moose Jaw to pick up those materials.
Cleanfarms will be at the Parrish & Heimbecker terminal at 1-501 High Street West on Thursday, Oct. 26, from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. to acquire:
- Unwanted or obsolete agricultural pesticides identified with a Pest Control Number (PCN) on the label; this includes used miticide strips that beekeepers use
- Commercial pesticides for golf courses and industrial and commercial pest control products identified with a PCN on the label
- Livestock or equine medications used on-farm in the rearing of livestock, poultry or horses, identified with a DIN number, serial number, notification number or PCN number on the label
Items that the program will not accept include:
- Fertilizers such as nitric acid, rinsate diluted solution and 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
- Any other hazardous household waste
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.
“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,” said Barry Friesen, Cleanfarms’ executive director.
“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.”
Moose Jaw is one of 20 communities in southern Saskatchewan that Cleanfarms is visiting this year. Other area municipalities include Central Butte on Tuesday, Oct. 24, at Hawks Agro on Highway 19 and Shaunavon on Friday, Oct. 27, at the Southwest Terminal Ltd on Highway 37.
The stewardship organization rotates the program across Canada every three years, so it encourages farmers to store their products in a safe, dry place if they’re not close to this year’s events. In fall 2024, the company will operate in northern Saskatchewan, while it will return to the south in 2026.
Since the program began, Cleanfarms has collected more than 4,200 tonnes of unwanted pesticides and 67.3 tonnes of obsolete farm animal health medications — cattle, horses, goats, poultry — from across Canada.
Besides this program, Cleanfarms also collects for recycling empty plastic agricultural pesticide and fertilizer containers, grain bags and twine.
The organization says it contributes to a healthier environment and a more sustainable future by recovering and recycling ag and related industry plastics, packaging and products. It receives funding from its members in the industries of crop protection, seed, fertilizer, animal health medication and ag plastics.
Cleanfarms has staff in Lethbridge, Alta., Moose Jaw, Winnipeg, Etobicoke, Ont., and St-Bruno, Quec.
For more information, call 1-877-622-4460 or email info@cleanfarms.ca.
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