Resolution No. 15-05M

WHEREAS, the recycling of empty chemical containers was handled at the local municipal level and was abandoned in response to a promise by the industry to carry forward a better and industry-driven program; and

WHEREAS, the current recycling program does not seem to be adequate as demonstrated by the current reality wherein it appears a great many chemical containers which should be recycled, are in fact not; and

WHEREAS, empty chemical containers are presently being disposed of by practices that are not environmentally friendly;

THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED, that SARM lobby the Government of Saskatchewan to ensure that the industry adheres to its promise and that the industry makes available an effective and easily accessible program for the recycling of empty chemical containers which will be used to a degree that compares favourably to that of the previous program.

Response from Honourable David Forbes, Minister of Environment:

With respect to Resolution No. 15, regarding activities of the Pesticide Container Collection Program, this program is operated voluntarily by industry. This means that participation in the program is not mandated and the program is not support by legislation. The rate of return for pesticide containers remains at or near 70%. That represents the benchmark that was established for this program. This rate of return is consistent with the rates of return we experienced when the containers were collected at municipal sites.

While we are always exploring ways to increase the efficiency and effectiveness of our stewardship programs with the industry steward, we are generally satisfied with the rate of return for this program. A 70% rate of return is a significant achievement for this stewardship program, and is inline with the capture rates of other successful stewardship programs throughout Canada. Crop Life Canada has established 479 dealer collection sites. In addition to these dealer return sites, there are 36 municipal areas where no dealer collection points exist. This represents an increase in the number of collection sites from when the containers were collected only at municipal sites. We acknowledge that some areas have experienced a decrease in accessibility, however, overall access has been increased.