FERTILIZER RECYCLING
1.0 PURPOSE:
Purpose of this guideline is to assist Association member locations in:
- recognizing potential waste problem areas
- reduce or eliminating waste at the source
- recycle contained materials
- properly dispose of waste which can not be recycled
2.0 GOAL:
- operate the plant as efficiently as possible
- plan to prevent the generation of any unnecessary wastes
- avoid spills
- provide containment areas and equipment to store material
- dispose of (non agricultural) waste as per local/government regulation
3.0 STRATEGIES FOR REDUCING/ELIMINATING AND RECYCLING
3.1 BULK DRY FERTILIZER:
- payloader operators must be trained not to overfill buckets
- all floors and pathways must be level and smooth
- keep floors and pathways clear of equipment, etc. and clean of all non-fertilizer materials.
- all spilled dry material must be cleaned up BEFORE switching to a different material/mix.
- all work areas must be swept daily to avoid build-up of unknown materials
- spills on concrete pads when loading and unloading fertilizer must be cleaned up immediately
- loading socks must be utilized to prevent spillage
- all scrap bins must be inside the building and scrap fertilizer recycled according to good agronomic practices
3.2 BULK LIQUID FERTILIZERS/SOLUTIONS:
- loading sites must consist of a concave concrete floor with a sump hole to contain any spilled liquid
- a holding tank must be in place to store all reclaimed liquids until they can be applied to cropland as per good agronomic principles
3.3 LIQUID/WASTEWATER:
- crop protection chemicals should be washed off equipment regularly several times a day while in the field according to Ontario Ministry of Environment Guidelines
- liquids from equipment containing crop protection chemicals must be stored in a designated container and reused when next spraying that chemical and crop
- wash water from the cleaning of fertilizer or crop protection application equipment must be contained and stored in a designated container until it can be applied to cropland as per good agronomic principles
- All drains, sewer locations and openings to underground systems must be plugged in the area used for rinsing and washing equipment
3.4 MISCELLANEOUS WASTE:
Car batteries, plastic bags, tires, degreasing solvents, etc. should be disposed at approved facilities/according to local government regulations. Dealers should properly dispose of these items regularly to avoid build up. This will help create an orderly, well-kept appearance of the facility and avoid any future complications.
4.0 OPERATION ACTIONS
4.1 TRAINING:
A training plan for employees should be implemented and enforced at all blender sites. Procedures for the prevention and containment of spills and utilization of contained material should be well documented and updated regularly.
4.2 INSPECTIONS:
Inspections by the plant manager should take place at regular intervals to ensure rinse area, warehouse and grounds are in good order and to spot any future problems. Regular sampling of runoff should be taken to ensure that the water does not contain unacceptable levels of fertilizer and/or other agri-chemicals.
4.3 ON SITE SPILL MANAGEMENT:
Spills must be cleaned up immediately to avoid contamination of soil or groundwater.
4.4 EQUIPMENT CLEANUP:
Equipment should be cleaned by rinsing in the field, or cleaned at a properly designated containment facility (with an area made of impervious material). Storage capacities should be of adequate volume to hold dilute solutions.
There should be clear posting/identification of the type of product that can be washed and rinsed at the facility. This information should be posted in a conspicuous area and enforced.
5.0 CHECKLIST:
o
Are containers clearly labelled?o
Are employees properly trained in cleanup procedures for spills?o
Is waste (i.e. solvents, flammable liquids, degreasing solvents) shipped off-site
for recycling or disposal at permitted facilities?o
Do you: practice good housekeeping, encourage quick response to spills, encourage
reduction of contained products?o
Have precautions been made to prevent pesticides, fertilizer and other chemicals
from entering the sanitary sewer or septic tank?
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