A first-of-its-kind collection program for sharps and unused livestock pharmaceutical products is taking place this fall as part of an Ontario government-funded initiative to protect water quality in the Great Lakes Basin.
Farmers will be able to bring their sharps and unused medicines to collection sites in Eastern and Southwestern Ontario free of charge for safe and environmentally friendly disposal during a pilot project the week of Nov. 17.
“We’re encouraging farmers to bring their sharps and unused pharmaceuticals to one of our collection sites,” said Crystal Mackay, executive director of the Ontario Farm Animal Council. “Ontario is the first jurisdiction in North America that is undertaking this type of pilot collection program … as a way of protecting water quality.”
The sites will accept animal pharmaceutical products with drug identification numbers and sharps products (needles, scalpel blades and syringes) as part of the program.
“Farmers are responsible environmental stewards who are committed to protecting our water and our land,” said Lilian Schaer, executive director of AGCare. “Water quality is important to all Ontarians, but especially to farmers.”
The project is being co-ordinated by the Ontario Farm Animal Council and AGCare and other partners For more information, visit www.ofac.org.
