Agricultural Waste Management Safe Waste Disposal from the Farm What is the Issue? What are the options? What can WE do?
Agricultural Waste Typical Farm Waste Household and shop waste Waste is Waste regardless of the source Proper disposal in a regulated facility is ideal Waste in the Agricultural Setting, is governed under the Environmental Management and Protections Act, 2010 (EMPA 2010) General Regulation.
EMPA (General) Regulations Permits are required to dispose of waste (n) any facility that permanently disposes of solid waste or industrial waste by placing it above or below ground; (o) any facility that temporarily stores solid waste; (p) any facility that disposes of hazardous waste.
EMPA (General) Regulations No permit is required for: (d) the disposal of household waste if: (i) the household waste is generated by an individual who is a member of the household; and (ii) the household waste is disposed of on land that is owned or leased by an individual who is a member of the household and on which the household waste is generated; providing:
EMPA 2010 section 49. the disposal is not prohibited by any municipal bylaw enacted by the municipality in which the land is located or by any other Act or law.
Farm Household Waste - Options? Ideal: Haul waste directly to nearest permitted waste facility
Farm Household Waste - Options? Convenience: Contract with a waste/recycling hauling company
Farm Household Waste - Options? Least preferred: Dispose of on the land it was generated on.
Why You Might Not Want to Do This! Risk of Migration Off Land Government wont get you but the Bank will! (Environmental Assessment upon sale)
Disposal on Private Land ORDER WAS ISSUED FOR FULL CLEAN UP THIS IS NOT LITTERING, BUT IT IS ILLEGAL
What About Burning Waste?
EMPA (General) Regulations Industrial activity Air Quality 13 For the purposes of clause 51(d) of the Act, the burning of any of the following substances constitutes an industrial activity: (a) waste or spent lubricating oil; (b) hazardous substances; (c) hazardous wastes; (d) motor vehicle tires; (e) animal carcasses; (f) railway ties and other wood treated with wood preservatives; (g) waste materials from building or construction sites; (h) trash, garbage or other waste from commercial, industrial or municipal operations; (i) materials containing rubber or plastic; (j) spilled oil or oil production by-products; (k) materials disposed of as part of reclamation operations; (l) animal manure.
EMPA (General) Regulations Permit required Air Quality 14(1) A person who intends to engage, or who engages, in an industrial activity is required to obtain a permit. (2) The minister may impose any terms and conditions on the permit mentioned in subsection (1) that the minister considers appropriate
What About Burning Farm Waste? The Burn Barrel
Regulations about Burning Waste EMPA 2010 - Prohibition on discharges 8(1) No person shall discharge or allow the discharge of a substance into the environment in an amount, concentration or level or at a rate of release that may cause or is causing an adverse effect unless otherwise expressly authorized pursuant to: (a) this Act or the regulations; (b) any other Act, Act of the Parliament of Canada or the regulations made pursuant to any other Act or Act of the Parliament of Canada; (c) any approval, permit, licence or order issued or made pursuant to: (i) this Act or the regulations; or (ii) any other Act, Act of the Parliament of Canada or the regulations made pursuant to any other Act or Act of the Parliament of Canada; (d) the code; or (e) an accepted environmental protection plan.
Fact Sheet on Burning Waste under development
Its what s in the bin that matters!
What is emitted? Complex mixture of air pollutants from which there is some probability of harm at any level of exposure. arsenic Black Carbon (soot) carbon monoxide hydrochloric acid nitrogen oxides PCDFs (furans) PM2.5 mercury benzo[a]apyrene lead PCDDs (dioxins) volatile organic compounds ash
Health Effects Wood Waste Who is effected? - Young children, older adults, those with existing cardiovascular and respiratory conditions or vascular complications from diabetes Long term exposure - Reduced lung function, asthma, bronchitis, heart problems and premature mortality Short term exposure - Acute bronchitis, asthma attacks, lung disease and susceptibility to respiratory infections
Health Effects - Plastics Dioxins and Furans - Cancer - Liver problems - Impairment of the immune system, endocrine system and the reproductive system - Effects on systems of the young
Buyer Beware Expensive Burn Barrel Doesn t make it legal
Operation of an Incinerator Proponent Self-Assessment - Is it a development? Air Quality Standards Testing - Must meet Canada wide standards (dioxins, furans, mercury) Residual Ash Testing - Toxicity Characteristic Leaching Procedure TCLP (where can the ash go?) Environmental Protection Plans - Qualified Person
Environmental Impacts Air Pollutants and Land Residue Crops Areas where animals graze and live Lakes and Rivers Ecosystem Impacts
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Burning of Grain Bags Voluntary Clean-up Environmental Protection Orders Minimum Clean-up/Remediation Costs $3-5,000 more cost effective to transport for recycling Costs can escalate to $20-25,000 Possible charges, prosecutions
Grain Bags Future Regulated Program? Agricultural Plastics Pilot Pilot Project running since 2011 between SimplyAg and the Ministry of Agriculture More information and Site map at: www.simplyag.ca Work continues on a possible regulation; hope to have a program in place in 2018
All farm tires are part of the provincial Stewardship Program run by Saskatchewan Scrap Tire Corporation(SSTC) SSTC offers their Black Gold Program for private stockpiles as well as return to retailer Additional tire information at: scraptire.sk.ca Farm Tires
All used automotive oil is part of the provincial Stewardship Program run by Saskatchewan Association for Resource Recovery Corporation (SARRC) SARRC offers collection return incentives for bulk collection. Additional used oil information at: www.usedoilrecyclingsk.com Farm Used Oil
Agriculture s Role? Shared Education and Awareness Assist with education of land owners Education is a key component to reducing the amount of non-compliance Do land owners know these are illegal activities? Strengthening Partnerships with Stakeholders Environmental Farm Plans Can any of these activities be incorporated? Carrot River Watershed Agri-Environmental Group Plan
Environment s Role Conservations Officers do investigate burning issues and unauthorized dumping and consult with Environmental Protection Officers Environmental Protection Orders May result in further charges/court Fines(littering) Fines (Burning) $500 individual - $?? $1000 corporation Alternative measures
TIP Line: 1-800-667-7561 or SaskTel #5555 or online at environment.gov.sk.ca/tip
Growing Forward 2 Farm Stewardship Program
Farm Stewardship Program Provides eligible Saskatchewan producers with financial assistance to implement beneficial management practices (BMPs) to help maintain or improve the quality of soil, water, air, or biodiversity resources. A BMP is defined as any agricultural management practice which: Ensures the long-term health and sustainability of land-related resources used for agricultural production; Positively impacts the long-term economic and environmental viability of agricultural production; and Minimizes negative impacts and risk to the environment.
Farm Stewardship Program Eligibility Requirements: SK resident or file income tax in SK; Own or control a minimum of 320 acres; Intensive operations on less than 320 acres. Earn minimum of $35K gross farm income and; Environmental Farm Plan (EFP) Certificate. For certain BMPs applicants without an EFP may be eligible if they are part of an Agri-Environmental Group Plan and have received an endorsed Statement of Completion. Additional project requirement may apply to BMPs (see guidelines) Maximum rebate under GF2 FSP -$50,000 / eligible applicant. Individual BMP caps may also apply
Farm Stewardship Program - BMPs 7 Categories: Livestock Site Management Manure Management Land Management Irrigation Management Precision Farming Agricultural Waste Management Environmental Solutions
Agriculture Waste Management BMPs Grain Bag Rollers Rebate Intent: Assist producers with the purchase of a grain bag roller to better manage, store and recycle grain bags thereby reducing the environmental risks associated with improper disposal. Funding Level: 50 per cent of eligible costs to maximum of $5,000. Eligible costs include: purchase of new grain bag rollers (stand alone, hydraulic or incorporated on extractor). Courtesy: http://brownbroswelding.com/
Agriculture Waste Management BMPs Used Oil Storage - Rebate Intent: Assist producers with the storage of used oil through the purchase of appropriate storage tanks. Proper storage of used oil can help prevent oil and other toxic contents from contaminating soils and entering surface waters, improve farm safety and make the recycling of these wastes more convenient. Funding Level: 50 per cent of eligible costs Eligible costs include: to maximum of $2,000. purchase of a new double wall used oil storage tank (ULC-652). Courtesy: burseymfg.com
Environmental Solutions BMP Environmental Solutions Pre-Approval Intent: To support the assessment and implementation of innovative and non-typical management solutions to mitigate environmental risk from agricultural operations. Approved projects will reduce environmental risks by utilizing new technology, applications, management practices and designs. Funding Level and Cap: Based on the project and will range from 20-50 per cent funding up to a maximum of $50,000. Open to projects with environmental and public benefit that do not fit into a current BMP.
For More Information: Visit: www.saskatchewan.ca Environmental Programs Contact: Ministry of Agriculture Financial Program Branch Toll Free: 1-877-874-5365 Email: fpbinfo@gov.sk.ca Technical Assistance: Refer to the BMP Guideline for a full listing of resources or contact your Ministry of Agriculture Regional Office or AEGP.