Farmers in Ontario helped dispose of more than 125,981 kilograms of obsolete and unwanted pesticides through CleanFARMS’ 2016 collection campaign.
In 2013, the last time the program came to the province, farmers disposed of more than 128,000 kg of product with livestock medication included.
“Ontario farmers care about the environment and are keen to responsibly manage waste from their farms," Craig Hunter, manager of research and crop protection with the Ontario Fruit and Vegetable Growers Association (OFVGA), said in a release. "Our members have been taking part since the first disposal program was made available to them.”
"The program is a success because farmers in Ontario are committed to participating these types of initiatives," Barry Friesen, general manager of CleanFARMS, said in the release.
The free disposal comes to each province about every three years and will take place again in 2019. Until then, farmers are encouraged to safely store their unwanted pesticides and livestock medications.
According to the organization, since the program’s inception in 1998, more than two million kilograms of pesticides have been safely and properly disposed of.
