Cleanfarms, the organization that develops and operates the agricultural “blue box” for farmers, has announced that efforts continue to reach a 100 per cent return rate. 

“In 2021, Canadian farmers returned more than 6.2 million small empty containers, up 12.5% over the year before, says Barry Friesen, general manager. “Farmers are doing a great job which means we’re closing in on 80% of the containers in the marketplace. But we’re not stopping there. We’re going after 100%.” 

Cleanfarms, the national stewardship organization that collects empty pesticide and fertilizer jugs to recycle them announced that more than 1,500 recycling collection sites across Canada will open their doors on Monday, May 2 to start accepting empty single use pesticide and fertilizer containers for 2022. 

The Cleanfarms’ recycling program keeps these plastic containers, which are a valuable resource material, out of landfill and the environment, and reinvested in the circular economy.

Since the ag plastic container recycling program began more than 30 years ago, Canadian farmers have brought back more than 143.6 million empty containers for recycling.

“We’re challenging Canadian farmers to celebrate Earth Day this year, by bringing back all their ag plastic jugs used in their farm operations,” says Friesen, adding, “and on their behalf, we’ll see that the container plastic is put to good use again as new products.”

Recycled plastic from pesticide and fertilizer jugs are made into valuable agricultural products such as flexible drainage pipe and plastic bags.

In addition to empty small plastic containers for pesticides and fertilizers, 

Cleanfarms’ programs include:

-  a nation-wide recycling program for large non-deposit plastic totes and drums for pesticides and fertilizers

-  recycling programs for grain bags and baler twine,

-  a nation-wide collection and proper disposal program for unwanted pesticides and old, obsolete livestock and equine medications, and a disposal program for seed and pesticide bags and fertilizer bags in Québec

Source:  Cleanfarms April 22, 2022 news release