The state’s top wine and grape growers will have more options to recycle their agvet chemical container waste thanks to a brand new drumMUSTER site in McLaren Vale.
The site will provide a new, flexible option for farmers looking to dispose of their chemical drums.
South Australia drumMUSTER Consultant David Jesse said farmers, grape growers and other chemical users in the McLaren Vale area have a site that’s convenient for them.
“The new site is located on the doorstep of many wine grape growers,” he said.
“It’s an alternative location to City Of Onkaparinga Council site and will alleviate the need to travel. It’s a great complement to the existing council site.”
David said the McLaren site will be operating five days a week between 8.30am – 4.30pm offering growers more regular opportunity to dispose of drums.
“Many growers already use this facility to dispose of cans and bottles,” David said. “Local resellers and growers are keen to see this facility established.”
Manager of local reseller EE Muir at McLaren Flat, Craig Mathew said the site is a long time coming.
“The site will be fairly central for most of the grape growers in the region,” he said.
“I expect it to be popular with them. It’s much more beneficial for them to take a load in at McLaren instead of loading up their drums and going to Seaford.”
James Hook from DJ’s Growers said McLaren Vale’s Sustainable Farming Programme highlighted that local recycling was an industry weakness.
“This means growers have approximately 250 days per year when they can deliver drums, compared to approximately four days per year in the past. We are going to see a dramatic improvement in local recycling,” he said.
Almost 50,000 drums have been collected and recycled in the region since 2000. That’s nearly 80 tonnes of waste avoiding landfill.
The new site is located at 6/229 Main Road, McLaren Vale. Those with more than 50 drums will need to book by calling 8323 9441.
Remember to rinse all drums. Pierce metal drums to allow for better air-flow after rinsing. All drums need to have lids off before delivering.
Since 1999, drumMUSTER has collected more than 23 million drums nation-wide. That represents more than 28,000 tonnes of waste avoiding landfill and being recycled into new and useful things again like plastic cable covers, wheelie bins and pipes.
For more information contact David Jesse on 0409 834 113. For further information on the drumMUSTER program, call 1800 008 707 or log on to www.drummuster.com.au.
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2. Grape vine