For the last 16 years, thousands of chemical users have relied on Agsafe’s drumMUSTER program to dispose of their empty agvet chemical containers.
During this time, the program has recycled over 25.7 million drums and continues to be the most successful agricultural recycling program in Australia. Once collected, the containers are shredded or granulated and transformed into new products like plastic cable covers, wheelie bins, road signs and bollards.
In addition to drumMUSTER, ChemClear provides Australian agricultural, pest and veterinary chemical users with a collection and disposal pathway for unwanted chemicals.
Since entering the agricultural waste sector in 2003, the program has collected more than 455,000 litres of potentially hazardous chemicals.
It’s important for chemical users to keep an eye on their chemical storages and be proactive in registering unwanted chemicals for safe collection and disposal.
The drumMUSTER and ChemClear programs are ideally set up to fulfil chemical user requirements for quality assurance (QA) and Best Management Practice (BMP) programs.
drumMUSTER National Program Manager Allan McGann believes chemical users should take advantage of both programs to satisfy their QA auditors.
“Using programs like drumMUSTER and ChemClear not only show you’re meeting the requirements of QA programs, but you’re also preventing waste from ending up in the wrong place,” he said.
While the program is often associated with agriculture, drumMUSTER also provides a solution for pest control and turf operators.
“A number of pest chemical retailers already support the program, but we are seeking to increase participation by other leading companies within the professional pest management industry in the future,” said Mr McGann.
A four cent per lt/kg levy is applied to participating manufacturer’s products and eligible containers are identified by the inclusion of the eligible drumMUSTER logo on their labels. There are no transfer station or landfill fees when delivering these drums to any collection site and a receipt is issued on delivery which is proof of participation for industry QA schemes.
“Chemical users pay the levy upon purchase, so I encourage them to return their drums to complete the recycling process,” said Mr McGann.
drumMUSTER operates 795 collection sites across Australia. To find your nearest site, simply enter your postcode and state under ‘Collection locations’ on the drumMUSTER website. A map will appear with the closest site in your area marked.
All containers presented at the collection site must meet the program’s cleanliness standards. Containers must be free of any chemical residue.