drumMUSTER operations update

BY RICHARD BOYCE MARKETING & COMMUNICATIONS OFFICER, AGSAFE

drumMUSTER has been helping large scale horticultural operations with the collection and removal of their empty AgVet chemical containers through our onfarm collection initiative. For businesses that have the capacity to store 1500 drums (or more) over a two-year period, drumMUSTER can organise a collection to remove them for recycling.

3 FARMS in the region are stockpiling drums for collection. Myalup drumMUSTER has been helping large scale horticultural operations with the collection and removal of their empty AgVet chemical containers through our on-farm collection initiative. For Due to increased auditing standards of many programs, growers are increasingly seeing drumMUSTER as a viable, if not the only responsible option for the safe disposal of their empty AgVet chemical containers. businesses that have the capacity to store 1500 drums (or more) over a two-year period, drumMUSTER can organise a collection to remove them for recycling. Perth Hills In 2012 the Perth Hills and Jarrahdale areas began utilising the drumMUSTER program. The Walliston collection site was the first On-farm collections in the Myalup area began when Castro Farms worked with drumMUSTER to create an on-farm cage in 2013. This was the first on-farm This year alone over 600drums have been returned to the Wallistonsite. to sign up, with the Hill Cold Store site joining in 2015 with drum returns increasing each year. This year alone over 600 drums have been returned collection point in the area to this site. The Jarrahdale and by 2014 the program was site was set up in 2016 and expanded to three farms in the has been slowly building the area, and in 2015 four more farmers numbers of returns with approximately came on board by installing 1000 litre 800 drums being collected in the past industrial cages to begin storing drums twelve months. in their area for future collection. By assisting large farming operations with on-farm collection infrastructure, drumMUSTER is looking to this year collect over 7000 cleaned and eligible drums for recycling from the Northern Metro Area & Gingin Lancelin Area There are multiple drumMUSTER collection sites in the Northern Metro Area and Gingin Lancelin areas. Mayalup region.

3 JOES Castro discusses the drumMUSTER program with Agsafe’s Dominique Doyle.

Online learning with Agsafe for those in the Agriculture sector

With the current restrictions still in place for much of the country, Agsafe has been helping those working in the AgVet sector with online training options. Agsafe have a number of online learning courses available for those looking to update the professional development. From short, interactive videos called AgBytes (40 minutes each) with topics ranging from Transport Dangerous Goods, Chemical Product Stewardship and Incompatible Chemicals and Segregation to Workplace Traffic Management to the Chain of Responsibility Master Code there is something for everyone that is looking to complete industry training. Agsafe also offers more in-depth online training from industry expert run webinars to courses you can complete at your own pace. Agsafe’s flagship course, the AgVet Chemical Supplier Course is available as a three session webinar and will provide the participants with the knowledge to provide advice on the safe sale, transport and storage of AgVet chemicals. For more information about Agsafe’s online training please visit: www.agsafe.org.au or contact the team on (02) 6206 6888.

Over 39,000 tonnes of plastic has been saved from being buried orburnt.

Locations include: • Gingin Tip; • Lancelin Tip; • Seabird Tip; and • Tamala Park. There are also on-farm collection sites located at the Galati Brothers Sapper Road site, as well as a trial site at Odeum Farms in Carabooda. To date, the drumMUSTER program has collected over 35 million AgVet containers. This equates to over 39,000 tonnes of plastic that has been saved from being buried or burnt. Remember, every container counts.

MORE INFORMATION

For further information on the program you can visit www.drummuster.org.au or call your local drumMUSTER Regional Consultant, Graeme Passmore on 0429 933 307.