Voluntary stewardship schemes continue to reduce farm waste, Duncan
Author: Wendy Duncan
Published on: 14-June-2011
Efforts to reduce the amount of waste generated on Australian farms are working, according to Mining and Pastoral MLC Wendy Duncan.
A recent survey conducted by AgStewardship Australia indicates that the industry’s voluntary waste management programs are helping to decrease the amount of rubbish generated on-farm.
The stewardship is the not-for-profit body responsible for overseeing the drumMuster and ChemClear® programs which encourage the responsible disposal of farm chemical containers and packaging.
Mrs Duncan said that the survey results show that the amount of farm chemical packaging and waste entering the environment continued to fall. Other findings include the revelation that the amount of agrichemicals delivered in bulk has increased by 340 per cent since 2007, reducing the amount of packaging required per litre of chemical.
In Western Australia, the proportion of eligible containers collected via the voluntary drumMuster program has increased by about 5 per cent, and Australia-wide there has been a 10 per cent increase in collection.
Mrs Duncan said that while the voluntary program of container return and collection was working, survey results also indicated that there was still scope to reduce packaging waste even further.
“This scope is matched by enthusiasm within the industry, which is committed to continually improving its product stewardship program and activities.”
Continued investment in water-soluble packaging, dry formulations and making greater use of bulk containers, which can be returned for re-use, were all moves which would help the quest to make farms even more environmentally friendly.
Mrs Duncan paid tribute to those involved in the schemes, including local government bodies, chemical manufacturers, retailers and farmers who had worked together to make them work.
“Without all parties showing commitment to the program, the amount of waste generated on farm would continue to accumulate.
“Schemes like drumMuster help farmers look after their farms, and the environment.”
