drumMUSTER program collects 22 million agvet drums

National product stewardship program drumMUSTER, which collects empty and clean agvet chemical containers from farmers, this month reached a total of 22 million drums collected.

The program ensures the drums avoid landfill and are recycled into new and useful things again, like plastic cable covers, wheelie bins and pipes. The latest record, representing 27,000 tonnes of waste, follows the previous milestone of 20 million drums last year and a record 2.2 million drums collected over the last financial year.

drumMUSTER National Program Manager Allan McGann said the record reflects the ongoing success of the program. By continuing past the 20 million mark, “this meant farmers and chemical users never stopped doing what’s important and continue to use a program which has successfully made rural Australia a better place”, he said.

McGann said drumMUSTER has changed the habits of people who use agvet chemicals, so the empty containers no longer sit on farms, float in creeks or clog up landfill.

“drumMUSTER has also changed the way agvet chemical container waste is disposed,” he said. “Instead of being burned or buried, they are recycled into something new.”

Today, more than 760 drumMUSTER sites operate around Australia - managed by councils, local community groups and waste management collectives. The program is also supported by recycling processors around the country who collect the drums once they’ve been inspected and turn the material into new products.

McGann noted that the program wouldn’t exist without the support of the thousands of volunteers and waste holders who use drumMUSTER. “Every year,” he said, “more councils join our cause and more farmers are returning their eligible and clean agvet chemical containers for recycling.

“Almost every farmer in the country knows the drumMUSTER name and understands the good work the program provides.”

For further information on the drumMUSTER program, visit www.drummuster.com.au.