Agricultural Policies

Newspaper

Why manage waste?

(2006)

The effective management of agricultural waste can provide many benefits to farmers and growers, including: improved industry image, reduced environmental and health and safety risks, reduced costs and time input, and a potential source of income. By handling waste in an efficient manner it is possible to increase the sustainability of business. Waste need no longer be viewed as a burden but as a potential resource. By its very nature, organic production minimises the creation of some of the waste streams commonly found in non-organic farming – for example, plastic pesticide containers. The basic principles of organic farming state that pollution and waste should be minimised and that recycling and renewable resources should be used, wherever possible. Here are some of the potential benefits of minimising waste before it is created: reduced disposal costs, reduction in the amount of raw materials you buy – making more efficient use of raw materials will save you money, less waste produced – this will result in savings in time and money involved in managing and handling waste, and compliance with waste legislation – the less waste you have, the less you will need to consider under the new regulations to be implemented in 2005.

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