News Environment
Cleanfarms’ pesticide disposal program in south Saskatchewan this fall

Later this month, farmers in Saskatchewan south of Davidson can safely dispose of unwanted agricultural pesticides and old, obsolete livestock and equine medications through a Cleanfarms program.

There will be 20 collection events taking place at various local ag retailers in the region.

“Every time we’re here, farmers show us how important this program is to them. They save up materials and bring them to these events for drop off at no charge, recognizing that this helps keep their farms clean and ensures these materials don’t go to landfill,” says Cleanfarms’ executive director Barry Friesen. “For our team, it’s a great way to meet with farmers and learn about what’s on their minds while providing a service that’s valuable for them and the region as a whole.”

The crop protection industry, in partnership with the Canadian Animal Health Institute (CAHI), covers the full cost of operating the program and disposing of the materials safely.

Since the program began, more than 4,200 tonnes of unwanted pesticides and 67.3 tonnes of obsolete farm animal (cattle, horses, goats, poultry) health medications have been collected across Canada.

This year’s Saskatchewan collection sites are in:

• Avonlea – Oct. 27 – Genesis Co-op, 300 McRorie Ave., 306-868-2133
• Balcarres – Oct. 25 – Synergy AG, 200 Hwy. 10, 306-331-5706
• Balgonie – Oct. 24 – Nutrien Ag Solutions, 228 Old Hwy., 306-771-2032
• Central Butte – Oct. 24 – Hawks Agro, South Hwy. SK-19, 306-796-4787
• Coronach – Oct. 24 – Richardson Pioneer, 130 Railway Ave., 306-267-2100
• Davidson – Oct. 23 – Richardson Pioneer, Hwy. 11 S., 306-567-4778
• Estevan – Oct. 25 – Richardson Pioneer, Intersection of Bienfait Municipal Rd. and Sister Roddy Rd., Hwy. 39 W., 306-634-2342
• Eston – Oct. 23 – Emerge Ag Solutions, 708 Hwy. 44 W., 306-962-4132
• Fillmore– Oct. 27 – Top Notch Farm Supple Inc., Hwy. 33, 306-722-3200
• Grenfell – Oct. 26 – Richardson Pioneer, 1110 Hwy. 47 N., 306-679-3377
• Gull Lake – Oct, 26 – South West Terminal, Hwy. 1, 7 miles east of Gull Lake, 306-672-4112
• Leader – Oct. 24 – Simplot, Hwy. 21 S., 306-628-3886
• Limerick – Oct. 23 – Limerick Co-op, 1100 Railway Ave., 306-263-2033
• Maple Creek – Oct. 25 – Richardson Pioneer, 305 1^st Ave. N., 306-662-2420
• Moose Jaw – Oct. 26 – Parrish & Heimbecker, 1-501 High St. W., 306-693-2977
• Moosomin – Oct. 27 – Parrish & Heimbecker, 1 mile west of Hwy. 1, 639-877-9010
• Raymore – Oct. 23 – Cargill, CNR Right of Way Elevator Rd., 306-746-2055
• Shaunavon – Oct. 27 – Southwest Terminal Ltd., 815 Hwy. 37, 306-297-4045
• Swift Current – Oct. 25 – Pioneer Co-op Agronomy Center, 2284 South Service Rd. W., 306-778-8705
• Weyburn – Oct. 26 – Parrish & Heimbecker, 1 mile east of Hwy. 39 S., 306-842-7436

Events take place from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m.

Materials accepted in the Cleanfarms program include:

• Unwanted (or “obsolete”) agricultural pesticides (identified with a Pest Control Product number on the label. A special note to Saskatchewan beekeepers – this also includes used miticide strips)
• Commercial pesticides for golf courses and industrial and commercial pest control products (identified with a Pest Control Product number on the label)
• Livestock/equine medications that are used on-farm in the rearing of livestock, poultry or horses in an agricultural context (identified with a DIN number, serial number, notification number or Pest Control Product number on the label)

The program does not accept:

• Fertilizer (including Nitric acid), rinsate diluted solution, large quantities of unopened product
• Full and unopened jugs of adjuvant or surfactant
• Treated seed
• Needles or sharps, medicated feed, aerosol containers, premises disinfectants and sanitizers (including Formaldehyde), veterinary clinic waste and medications, ear tags, and aerosols
• Domestic pesticides, fertilizers and animal health products
• Any other household hazardous waste

Cleanfarms rotates the program to regions across Canada every three years, so farmers are encouraged to store the products that are accepted in the program in a safe, dry place on the farm if they’re not close to an event this year. Next fall (2024), events will operate in northern Saskatchewan and return to the southern region in 2026.