There are at least 13 crop protection industry schemes around the world which collect and arrange the recovery of pesticide packaging waste. They have been introduced as a result of product stewardship, direct legislative requirements or an economic instrument. Running costs of such schemes vary according to the time that they have been operational but all achieve costs lower than the normal waste disposal route. The full participation of farmers, legislators, economies of scale and efficient logistics are the fundamentals upon which low cost operation is built. Financing of schemes is normally through a levy on crop protection companies and is recovered through the cost of products to farmers. Most schemes achieve over 50% collection within a five-year period with the Belgian scheme achieving 80-90% for almost all of its operation. This paper provides detailed information on these schemes but the main focus is to draw out the common points of all schemes and examples of best practice.
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