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Farm Inputs - 6.4 Storage & Disposal of Farm Wastes

Last updated on June 12, 2015

If farm wastes, including deadstock, are managed inappropriately, they can cause contamination of the premises, livestock, inputs and food. The accumulation of farm waste can also provide habitats and food for pests.

6.4 Storage and Disposal of Farm Wastes

 

This good agricultural practice applies to all farms.

Examples of general farm waste: All garbage and waste materials generated through normal production processes, including vegetable culls, cracked eggs and vegetable and barn wash water. Learn about the storage of manure and compost.

Examples of medical waste: Used medical equipment (for example, needles), unused or expired medicated feed, animal health products, packaging and/or containers.

Examples of pesticide waste: Unwanted pesticides and/or containers.

Examples of deadstock: It covers all on-farm livestock mortalities.

What Needs to Be Done

Store and dispose of farm wastes properly.

How to Do it

General Farm Waste

Storage

  • Locate farm waste storage areas away from food handling, input storage and livestock housing areas to prevent cross-contamination and avoid attracting pests.
  • Make sure farm waste storage areas and containers are adequate for the amount of waste generated between disposal times.
  • Clean farm waste storage areas often enough to avoid creating conditions that can cause cross-contamination or attract pests.
  • Where possible, use containers with lids for the storage of farm waste until removal.

Disposal

  • Remove farm waste often enough and in a manner to prevent cross-contamination and avoid attracting pests.
  • Dispose of all materials according to municipal by-laws and provincial regulations.
  • If farm waste can be used by other sectors, store and ship them so as not to pose a food safety hazard. Unless properly sanitized, vehicles used for transporting farm waste should not be used to transport food products and farm inputs.

Note: Crops grown on-farm can be fed to livestock housed on the same farm. Follow pesticide label instructions regarding grazing and feeding crops to livestock.

Medical Waste

Storage

  • Store used needles, empty medicine containers and unwanted or expired animal health products in rigid, leak-proof containers and labelled NON-HAZARDOUS WASTE (medicine bottles) or BIOMEDICAL WASTE (needles, scalpels and other “sharp” equipment).

Disposal

  • Follow suppliers’ or manufacturers’ instructions for disposal of syringes, medications and other items as well as outdated medical supplies.
  • Another viable disposal option may be your veterinarian. Disposal on your property or in burn barrels are not desirable disposal options.
  • Contact Ministry of Environment at 1-800-663-3456 when disposal quantities are in excess of 5 kg or 5 litres.
  • Make sure medicated feed and water are disposed in a manner that does not contaminate the environment.

Used Pesticide Containers

Storage

Triple-rinse all empty pesticide containers by following these steps:

  1. Fill empty containers with water to a minimum of one-tenth of the container size.
  2. Rinse by recapping the container and shaking or rolling.
  3. Empty pesticide container contents into sprayer tank.
  4. Repeat steps 1 to 3 two times.

Do not reuse pesticide containers for storage of other items.

Disposal

Take rinsed containers to a pesticide container collection site for recycling.

There are four options to dispose of unwanted pesticides:

  1. Return unopened pesticide container to the dealer before winter.
  2. Apply pesticide to another crop specified on the label.
  3. Pay a Hazardous Waste Disposal Company to dispose of the pesticide.
  4. Participate in the BC Pesticide Return. Occasionally, the government, pesticide industry and BC Agricultural Council coordinate special unwanted pesticide collection programs. Visit BCMAL web site for details on next BC Pesticide Return.

Read more about proper disposal of used pesticide containers and unwanted pesticides [LINK: please refer to BCMAL’s Pesticide Wise web site on “Safety  Precautions – Pesticide and Container Disposal]

Deadstock

Storage

Remove, compost or bury all regulated dead animals according to provincial regulations.

Locate deadstock burial pit and composting site away from:

  • Animal housing,
  • Fruit or vegetable production areas,
  • Areas of high livestock or human traffic, and
  • Any sources of water.
  • Protect all stored deadstock from other livestock, poultry and predators and away from public view.

Disposal

Choose a method of regulated dead animal disposal that is currently approved in B.C. These include:

  • Pick up by a provincially licensed Deadstock Pick-Up Service;
  • Composting at least 15 m from any watercourse and 30 m from any source of water used for domestic purposes;
  • Burial at least 30 m from any source of water used for domestic purposes and pits constructed to prevent pollution.

If You Need an Audit

Be prepared for the auditor to observe or inquire about storage activities to ensure that:

  • Adequate and proper waste storage areas and/or containers are clearly designated on the farm,
  • Farm waste storage containers and areas are well kept and maintained,
  • Farm waste is removed on a regular basis,
  • Medical waste containers are clearly marked,
  • Empty pesticide containers and unwanted pesticides are stored in a designated area labelled for disposal, and
  • Deadstock is stored and/or disposed of according to provincial regulations.

Laws & Regulations that Apply