Cleanfarms, the national stewardship organization that develops and operates programs to help farmers/producers manage on-farm agricultural waste materials is returning to six regions of Canada to hold events to collect unwanted, old agricultural pesticides and obsolete livestock, equine and poultry medications so that farmers can dispose of these unwanted agricultural materials safely.

It is important to note that the program does NOT accept:

• fertilizer, diluted solution, large quantities of unopened product, and treated seed
• full and unopened jugs of adjuvant or surfactant
• needles or sharps, medicated feed, aerosol containers, premises disinfectants and sanitizers, veterinary clinic waste and medications, ear tags, or aerosols
• domestic pesticides, fertilizers and animal health products and any other household hazardous waste

Collection events are listed in chronological order:

• Ontario – North – Thunder Bay, Emo and Gore Bay (Manitoulin Island): September 12 to 16 inclusive
• Ontario – South: September 19 to 27 – 28 single day events
• Alberta – North: October 3 to 7 – 20 single day events
• Alberta & British Columbia – Peace Region: October 12 to 20 – 6 single day events
• Newfoundland: October 18 to 21 – 4 single day events
• Manitoba: October 24 to 28 – 20 single day events

The Canadian Animal Health Institute (CAHI) joined the program as a partner in 2014 to add obsolete farm animal medications to the materials accepted.

The crop protection industry members of Cleanfarms, in partnership with CAHI, cover the full cost of operating the program and disposing of the materials responsibly so that farmers pay nothing. All materials are managed safely through high temperature incineration.

“CAHI and our members are thrilled to support the Cleanfarms collections once again this fall. Animal health, human health and our shared environment are part of a deeply interconnected system. Our longstanding partnership with Cleanfarms highlights our members’ commitment to environmental stewardship and sustainable practices,” said CAHI President and CEO Dr. Catherine Filejski.

The last time this program was held in these regions in 2019 a total of 214,618 kgs of unwanted pesticides and 5,842 kgs of obsolete animal medications were collected.

Collection events are scheduled at local agricultural retailers’ locations for ease of access. Information is continuously updated on Cleanfarms’ website under “what to recycle & where”.

For more information visit the Cleanfarms website.