Unwanted and obsolete crop protection products will be collected at five locations in Prince Edward Island during Operation Cleansweep November 17 - 19, 1998. Co-sponsored and cost shared by the PEI Departments of Technology and Environment and Agriculture and Forestry and the Crop Protection Institute, the collection is free for growers. Both liquid and powder crop pesticides will be accepted.
Eric Hammill, Minister of Agriculture and Forestry, encourages growers to bring full or part containers of unwanted products to the collection sites. "Rather than have these products remain on farms for an indefinite period this is an opportunity to dispose of them in a safe and proper way," he said.
Individuals who no longer operate farms but still have products on site and those who have "inherited" crop pesticides from former owners are also encouraged to bring them in for collection. Landscape operators should also turn in unwanted pesticide products they may have in storage.
Mitch Murphy, Minister of Technology and Environment reinforces this message. "Operation Cleansweep is a unique chance to have these products collected, packed and transported by waste experts for safe and environmentally sustainable disposal. This opportunity should not be missed," emphasized Minister Murphy.
Ministers Hammill and Murphy praised local retail pesticide dealers for their assistance and commitment in participating in the collection. Also supporting the collection through publicity efforts to their membership is the PEI Potato Board and the PEI Federation of Agriculture.
"This operation would not have been possible without the full cooperation of our partners in the Institute's Provincial Council, the Provincial Ministries of Environment and Agriculture, agrichemical dealers and grower groups," said Crop Protection Institute Vice President, Cam Davreux. "This program effectively closes the loop on product life cycle management. We are looking forward to a very successful event."
Hours of operation for the collection are November 17 - 19, from 8:00 a.m. - 4:00 p.m. The five collection locations include Westisle Farm Supply, O'Leary; Island Fertilizers Ltd., Charlottetown; Malpeque Fertilizers Ltd., Travellers Rest; McCain Fertilizers Ltd, New Perth; and Eric Robinson Inc., Albany. Domestic pesticides are not being collected and will not be accepted.
Operation Cleansweep is a regional initiative spearheaded by the Crop Protection Institute with similar collection programs being undertaken in New Brunswick and Nova Scotia during the same period. For further information on Operation Cleansweep in Prince Edward Island, contact Glenda Peters at 368-5047, Don Reeves at 836-8925 or a district agricultural office.