Agsafe is credited with coming up with a way of diverting 42 million agvet containers of plastics away from landfill sites and into clean recycling programs
For years, farmers and other AgVet chemical users had few options for disposing of used containers. Consequently, they were dumped, buried, or burnt.
Enter Product Stewardship. A whole-of-life-cycle approach to the responsible and ethical management of AgVet products, from the original manufacture through to their use and end-of-life disposal.
Agsafe’s AgVet chemical product stewardship programs, drumMUSTER and ChemClear, divert used containers and obsolete chemicals from landfills, re-routing them into recycling and responsible disposal pathways that assist in keeping land and waterways safe.
Since operations began in 1998, more than 45,000 tonnes of unwanted plastics have been diverted from landfill sites into recycling programs, this equates to over 42 million agvet containers. There are over 800 collection sites throughout Australia including 366 local council sites.
Agsafe’s General Manager Alicia Garden explains, “drumMUSTER was one of the first product stewardship programs established in Australia.
“It is now internationally recognised as a leading example of how the agricultural industry and individual farmers and communities can work together to provide a recycling pathway for AgVet chemical containers.”
Once the containers are collected, they are shredded and granulated, processed into pellets, and then re-used to make wheelie bins, fencing, pipes, bollards, road markers and public furniture.
Alicia Garden adds, “Farm businesses who frequent drumMUSTER sites are setting a good example of how the simple act of recycling can keep land and waterways cleaner and litter-free, and communities safer.
“As a voluntary program, the drumMUSTER product stewardship program has adapted to fit the needs of councils, farmers, retailers and manufacturers of the chemicals.
“We have a flexible approach to collections, this includes engaging with over 100 community organisations to not only maximise collections but also provide great fund-raising opportunities,” Alicia Garden concludes.
To find your nearest collection point, or to get your local area involved, see more at the drumMUSTER website here or call 1800 008 707.
