Pesticide container recycling in Canada

The Crop Protection Institute, a trade association representing the pesticide industry in Canada, operates a nation-wide program to collect and recycle empty, one-way, commercial pesticide containers. Introduced in 1989 as a commitment to manage packaging waste, it is one of several stewardship programs to demonstrate industry leadership through self regulation. To the end of 1996 the program had collected more than 21 million containers for an average recovery rate of 59% over the period and 64% for the year. It is being guided by a vision of an environment free of pesticide containers. The program has objectives to recover 70% of containers in 1997, 90% by 2000 and to recycle in a safe way, all materials collected annually. Manufacturers fund the program by paying a fee to the Crop Protection Institute for each container shipped. The amount is determined annually according to budgeted costs. For 1997 it is pound 0.26 per container (equivalent to $Can 0.62 or $US 0.44). In 1994 the Crop Protection Institute took over direct management of the program from regional stakeholder groups, resulting in a fee reduction by 1996 of 36%. In 1996, there were 3,893,000 containers collected at 819 locations. Plastic jugs represented 98% of containers collected, with an average weight of 0.35 kg. Two-thirds of those collected were recycled into fence posts for use on farms and the remaining containers were processed for their energy value in industrial plants. Experience has demonstrated the need for a collection system that allows for inspection of containers returned by farmers to ensure they are empty and clean. Success of the program is due to the joint participation with industry of farmers, pesticide vendors, municipalities, regional committees and government personnel. Governments recognise it as a model industry environmental stewardship program and members have benefited from freedom to operate as a result of self regulation.