The program which collects empty and clean agvet chemical containers has reached a new milestone.
drumMUSTER reached 22 million drums this month after collecting a record 2.2 million drums in the last financial year.
22 million drums represents more than 27,000 tonnes of waste avoiding landfill and being recycled into new and useful things again, like plastic cable covers, wheelie bins and pipes.
The newest achievement comes after the program reached 20 million drums last year.
drumMUSTER National Program Manager Allan McGann said the latest record was an important number after 20 million.
He said the number reflects the on-going success of the program.
“We didn’t stop at 20 million – we kept going,” he said. “This meant farmers and chemical users never stopped doing what’s important and continue to use a program which has successfully made rural Australia a better place.”
Allan said many empty containers sit on farms, float in creeks or clog up landfill.
“The great thing about drumMUSTER is it has changed the habits of people who use agvet chemicals,” he said.
“drumMUSTER has also changed the way agvet chemical container waste is disposed. Instead of being burned or buried they are recycled into something new.”
Today, more than 760 drumMUSTER sites operate around Australia, which are managed by councils, local community groups and waste management collectives.
The program is also supported by a stable of recycling processors around the country who collect the drums once they’ve been inspected and turn the material into new products.
Allan said the program wouldn’t exist without the support of the thousands of volunteers and waste holders who use drumMUSTER.
“Almost every farmer in the country knows the drumMUSTER name and understands the good work the program provides,” he said.
“Every year, more councils join our cause and more farmers are returning their eligible and clean agvet chemical containers for recycling.
“This is a testament to the growing use of the program that we’re seeing across the board.”
For further information on the drumMUSTER program, call 1800 008 707