b'loaded with very old material for us to takeHow long have you had it? Its just drop it off their hands, says Friesen.off, Thank you for delivering. Have a good The ag chem disposal program run byday.Cleanfarms was initiated by CropLifeCleanfarms coordinates blitz-style Canada in 1998 and taken over bychemical drop-off days, usually in the fall, Cleanfarms in 2010. In its 25 years ofat various locations in every province on a existence, the program has collected andcyclical basis. Cleanfarms hires hazardous safely disposed of a whopping 4.2 millionwaste contractors to safely manage the kilograms of ag chemicals and livestockmaterial and to dispose of it using high medications.temperature incineration.Its nearly impossible to estimate howWho ultimately pays the $1 to $2 much unused, unwanted ag chemical stillmillion annual price tag for Cleanfarms Bill Zylmans, a B.C. seed potato grower. sits in farmers chem sheds. What FriesenPHOTO: B.C. AG IN THE CLASSROOM safe chemical disposal program and, more does know is the donated chemicals arebroadly, its recycling programs too? Certain getting newer over time. Whereas well overthose containers. pilot programs are sometimes covered 50 per cent of the delivered materials wereCleanfarms entire goal is to supportby government, including a recycling very old when the program began in 1998;agricultures environmental responsibility.pilot for grain bags and twine in Alberta. today old materials account for less than 25It knows collecting ag plastic products forPermanent programs, however, including per cent of product delivered. Thats a goodrecycling and ag chemicals for disposalsafe disposal programs, are paid for by thing, as it means theres less hazardous, old,depends on farmer buy-in.ag companies and associations which are and unused material sitting undelivered.Were not an enviro-cop or a regulator.members of Cleanfarms. In some cases, a That said, ag chem disposal has inroads stillWhat we do is offer solutions, says Friesen. non-refundable Environmental Handling to make with some farmers. Zylmans appreciates that solution-basedFee (EHF) is added to the initial cost of the Fifty per cent of all participants in thementality. product or added as a fee at retail. program are still first-time users, saysTheyll take what you bring them, whichThe reality is that farmers are paying Friesen. Its not that they dont know aboutreally eases the mind for a farmer. Yourefor recycling and safe disposal, even if us, they usually do. Its that they dontnot going to get penalized if you bringsometimes they dont know it, adds Friesen. generally want to drive in for one liter in aa container of DDT. There wont be 99They might as well enjoy the benefits of the jug. They usually wait til they have 10 ofquestions about: Where did you get this?,programs. Designed for specialists by specialistsLocal office with sales & service\x1f Retro fit systems/upgraded storages Boxes & box storage set up\x1f\x1f Samro \x1f Washing equipment Tolsma Grisnich Canada Inc.54 Heritage LaneSummerside PEC1N 4J9T+1 902 439 6336WWW.TOLSMAGRISNICH.COMSPUDSMART.COMFall 202337'