Farmer and chemical users across the state will be given a much needed hand in getting rid of their unwanted agvet chemicals as ChemClear plans its next collection for the state.
The program is calling on all waste holders in NSW to register their unwanted chemicals for the collection.
So far, 14,407 L/kg of obsolete product has been registered for the upcoming collection and ChemClear is expecting this figure to rise by about 10,000 litres.
The chemicals ChemClear collects are classified as either Group 1 or Group 2 under the program. Group 1 are collected free of charge to the waste holders as a levy has been paid on these products at the point of manufacturer and passed on through distribution to the consumer at the point of sale. Participating manufacturers’ chemical drums or labels display a logo which denotes to the ChemClear and drumMUSTER program eligibility. 108 manufacturers of agricultural and veterinary chemical are voluntary members of the program.
Group 2 chemicals include unlabeled or severely out of date products, mixed agvet chemicals and chemicals from non-participating manufacturers. Group 2 products attract a fee per litre charge as they are made by companies not participating in the stewardship programs.
ChemClear National Manager Lisa Nixon said the program helps agvet chemical users make good purchasing, storing and disposal decisions with their agvet chemicals.
“Before our stewardship program was in place a lot of farmers and other chemical users had no idea of how to get rid of their oversupply, unusable or in some cases inherited chemicals,” she said.
“So they continued to gather dust in chemical sheds around Australia. Simply storing them isn’t a long term viable solution, especially for those farmers who are audited against their quality management systems, certifications or workplace safety programs.”
As an auditor for Meat & Livestock’s QA program, Stephanie Gibbs ensures all primary producers’ chemicals are safely stored as a requirement under the Livestock Production Assurance program.
She said farmers need to have the proper chemical storage systems in place so they can prove they’re responsibly using agvet chemicals.
“As part of our audits we need to check chemical storage areas to see that chemicals are stored as per manufacturer’s instructions and check whether products are out-of-date or expired,” she said.
“We make note of their stocks and we give them a ChemClear registration form if there’s product that needs to be disposed of.”
Stephanie said many producers she audits aren’t aware of how to go about getting rid of potential harmful chemicals.
“They’re quite happy when we tell them there’s a safe way to get rid of them because they’ve often wondered,” she said.
“We think it’s a great program. We always, always mention ChemClear to producers.”
Farmers and other chemical users have until Friday 29th August to take advantage of this state run before the booking line closes.
The collection comes off the back of a successful regional campaign in the southern region of the state in November last year, where the ChemClear truck collected more than four and a half tonnes of products.
Since 2003, the program has collected a total of 104,000L/kg of hazardous chemicals for safe disposal from NSW and 403,000L/kg across Australia.
Ninety eight per cent of the chemical collected is used as an alternative fuel source in the manufacturing of cement.
Most of the material is destroyed in kilns which reach temperatures in excess of 1800°C.
To register your unwanted chemicals for ChemClear’s next run, call the hotline on 1800 008 182 or visit www.chemclear.com.au.
For more information regarding this press release, contact:
Nick Arnott-Job
Communications Officer
Agsafe Ltd – Accreditation & Training | drumMUSTER | ChemClear
02 6230 4799 nick.arnott-job@agsafe.com.au