Cleanfarms coming to Eston and Leader
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, including farmers in the Eston and Leader area.
“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.
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.