Western Downs Regional Council is leading the way in agricultural waste management as Queensland’s first council to collect 1 million drumMUSTER containers for recycling.
Farmers and other chemical users in the Western Downs region are proving their commitment to excellent land management practices, having delivered 1.24 million farm chemical drums to local drumMUSTER collection sites since 1999.
Agsafe’s drumMUSTER program manager, Frank Wimmler, said the milestone had saved the council an impressive $1 million in landfill costs, while proving landowners were keen to keep land and waterways free of waste.
“Thanks to the immense efforts of farmers, council and community groups, Western Downs is showing Queensland how sustainable farming works, by clearing 1269 tonnes of eligible agvet containers off properties and supporting Australian recycling schemes,” he said.
In addition to seven council-run drumMUSTER collection sites, an additional four collections are run by community groups, who have inspected over 200,000 containers to raise funds for local projects.
Community groups receive 25 cents for each drumMUSTER container they inspect, providing them with a source of income to fund vital youth and community ventures.
One group that has been instrumental to the 1 million milestone is Dalby Rugby Union Club, which has collected 183,000 containers.
Neil McVeigh facilitates the club’s Jimbour collection site and the money raised from drumMUSTER inspections has helped to fund training equipment, club jerseys, shading and fencing.
He said the community’s commitment to recycling proved that farmers were valuable custodians of the land.
“drumMUSTER doesn’t cost anything and what was once rubbish can now be put to good use,” Mr McVeigh said.
“The club raises funds from drumMUSTER but the drums are a product you can’t get rid of and with a little bit of effort we’re actually making use of an unwanted product by making sure it’s recycled.”
Photo: Agsafe regional consultant for Queensland Colin Hoey presents Western Downs Regional Council Mayor Paul McVeigh with a commemorative plaque to congratulate the council on collecting 1 million drums for the drumMUSTER initiative.