Agriculture
Farmers urged to triple rinse plastic pesticide containers─── 14:29 Fri, 02 Sep 2016
Bloemfontein - Farmers are being urged to ensure they deal with empty plastic pesticide containers properly before these are removed from farms for recycling.
The Association of Veterinary and Crop Associations of South Africa, Avcasa, said in a statement they have received complaints from recyclers about pesticide containers not having been triple rinsed.
In terms of the Environmental Management Waste Act, soiled plastic pesticide containers should not be stored at any site without appropriate registration and licensing of such a site as a hazardous waste facility. However, regulations are more lenient if the containers are triple rinsed, dried and punctured or cut into quarters.
Inspections are currently being done by Government departments and agricultural certification agencies.
Avcasa says farmers remain liable for disposal of these containers and serious penalties could be handed out. Farmers may even lose their certification for fresh produce export or local supply if they do not comply with the triple rinsing protocols.
For further information visit www.avcasa.co.za.
Source: Statement
