South Africa has been making great strides in addressing the challenge of empty agricultural product containers over an extended period. With a strong emphasis on awareness, the nation boasts an impressive network of recycling facilities, aiming to combat improper disposal and make significant progress in preventing environmental harm from harmful substances.
“What we are doing now determines what we will do for the next 1 000 years,” declared Sir David Attenborough, recipient of the Champions of the Earth Lifetime Achievement Award.
These words resonate with CropLife SA’s operations and stewardship manager, Dr Gerhard Verdoorn. He emphasises the importance of “addressing the lifecycle of agricultural product containers beyond the triple-rinse method to prevent soil or water contamination.”
Harvesting sustainability
CropLife SA is spearheading the initiative through its stewardship programme, promoting responsible and sustainable practices. In collaboration with key partners, such as InteliGro, they have established a network of approved recycling depots across South Africa.
“In the past, empty agricultural product containers sometimes piled up on farms, motivating us to find a solution,” emphasized Gerhard Visser, InteliGro crop advisor from Citrusdal.
The network offers several benefits, making it easier for farmers to dispose of their containers responsibly. “It provides a simple solution, and producers can easily get rid of empty containers,” explained Visser. “They simply leave it here, and we take care of the rest. Farmers can focus on their farming, and we contribute to making a real difference on the farm.”
The depot in Citrusdal, Western Cape, exclusively operated by InteliGro, stands as a model for efficient container collection and management. Johnathan Badenhorst, the foreman at the InteliGro depot, explained the process: “Upon arrival at the depot, containers are sorted by size, cut, compressed, and packed for bulk transportation to the recycling centre in Piketberg, where further processing takes place.”
Growers receive statements of safe disposal, which is, of course, very beneficial when it comes to audits.
InteliGro’s senior crop advisor Gerhard Visser leads a team in Citrusdal focused on integrated farming practices, including a robust strategy for biological solutions. Visser stressed their commitment, stating, “Our approach goes beyond conventional methods. We aim for a holistic package, addressing soil improvement, seeds, plant nutrition, crop protection with both conventional and biological applications, technology, and expert support – all to achieve positive results.”
This network is crucial in addressing the global issue of plastic waste. With the agricultural sector generating a significant portion of this waste, “the industry’s responsibility to manage plastic product life cycles is paramount,” underscored Verdoorn.
Navigating the green future
New regulations under the National Environmental Management: Waste Act, 2008, further reinforce this responsibility by placing extended responsibility on producers, including the agricultural sector, to implement collection and recycling schemes.
InteliGro actively promotes awareness and participation in the utilisation of the depot facilities for empty containers. Farmers are encouraged to make use of these resources and find relevant information on the InteliGro website.
Although plastic can be used in many versatile ways, half of all containers and single-use products are designed and simply discarded. Consequently, more than 300 million tonnes of plastic waste is produced each year, having a serious impact on the environment.
In the agricultural sector, plastic is used in pesticide containers, fertiliser packaging, seed bags, and tunnels, among other things. Therefore, experts agree that the sector has a responsibility to manage the life cycle of these plastic products.
“It remains the producer’s responsibility to ensure that empty containers reach collection points or recycling depots,” said Verdoorn. “However, CropLife SA’s programme works wonders to facilitate this process.”
By fostering collaboration and championing responsible practices, Visser underscores that the agricultural sector, united through this network, is committed to “leave a worthy legacy for future generations.” InteliGro stands at the forefront along with key partners, driving this vision of sustainability and responsible stewardship in agriculture.
READ NEXT: CropLife SA empowers responsible pesticide container disposal
Sign up for Mzansi Today: Your daily take on the news and happenings from the agriculture value chain.
