Project summary:
We intend to provide the small farmers with information about correct procedures for washing and returning pesticide packaging. Most of them ignore the environmental legislation, buy fake or smuggled products and dispose the packaging on the ground or in the rivers causing serious environmental problems. In order to pass on the correct information we asked governmental institutions, non-governmental organizations and the private initiative for support. Besides, we had the help of the press to broadcast the project. We visited the properties, took leaflets with explanatory material and helped them in understanding the procedures. The positive results are already verified.
Project subject:
The project aims to advise small farmers on the procedures for washing and returning pesticide packaging. Within two years we could observe a big amount of packaging thrown on the ground and mainly in the river Suzana, near the place where we develop the scouting activities. We have also observed the death of fish in this area. Besides, the contamination can be harmful to people because this river supplies two small cities with water. During the last months we have organized specific courses to teach the correct wash of packaging and the suitable use of the PPE (Personal Protective Equipment).
Project objectives:
One of the wanted objectives is to make farmers aware in order to stop reusing the pesticide packaging or disposing it in the environment.. Other objectives are to collect the packaging thrown in the river and to inform the farmers about the environmental legislation and the procedures for washing and returning pesticide packaging. Our actions called the attention of non-governmental organizations and public services because some months after the beginning of the project it was possible to notice a slight reduction in the volume of litter found in the river and there was no pesticide packaging disposed in that place. In the last months, we increased the number of visits and monitored the procedures of washing advising them on the use of the personal protective equipment (PPE) and the return of packaging to the suppliers. The actions contributed to the reduction of the illegal disposal.
Project research:
In Brazil the federal law number 9.974 from June 6th, 2000 and the enactment number 3.550 from July 27th,2000 establish the final destination of pesticide packaging, but they are not followed correctly because of deficient guidance and lack of inspection. Another problematic aspect is that our region is a route for smuggled pesticides which are forbidden in Brazil increasing consequently the offer of fake agrochemical products. In order to help the farmers in this process and aiming to reduce the possible damages resulting from the manipulation of empty packaging at levels compatible with the protection of the human and environmental health the organization INPEV (Instituto Nacional de Processamento de Embalagens Vazias) created explanatory leaflets containing the minimum necessary procedures for the safe final destination of empty packaging. In our area many farmers do not know the legislation and the procedures of washing and returning, so a lot of packaging was reused to carry water for the animals or store food, milk. Before we started the project, it was also easy to find empty pesticide packaging left in the environment, in the rivers. Organizations which support the project: - INPEV – provides the leaflets with the information; - Secretaria do Meio Ambiente de Erechim – technical and logistic support; - NGO Elo Verde – Project for the revitalization of the rivers in Erechim – helps in cleaning the river Suzana; - Universidade Federal de Santa Maria – UFSM – Department of Post-graduation in environmental education. – helps with technical and scientific support from the teachers enabling the project to be used as a practical example for students and to receive academic recognition; Press organizations which support and broadcast the project: Voz Regional newspaper; Bom Dia newspaper; Diário da manhã newspaper; Erechim radio AM; Difusão radio AM/FM; RBS TV.
Project action plan:
The project has been developed by planning and accomplishing practical actions and broadcasting them in newspapers, radio and television. The action plan consists of the following steps: - Research on the environmental legislation and other technical information to be presented to the farmers. - Visits to the rural properties, taking to the farmers material and information such as: - Knowledge and information about the environmental legislation, mainly the federal law number 9.974; - Distribution of leaflets with necessary information about the procedures of washing and returning the packaging; - Guidance for farmers on buying the products from legally established companies and just based on a prescription from an agricultural engineer; - Presentation of products manufactured from recycling the empty pesticide packaging, as for example, cases for automotive batteries, cases for electric wiring, corrugated conduits and packaging for lubricant oil. - Organization of big gatherings of the empty pesticide packaging thrown on the banks of and in the river Suzana. - Performance of a play which shows the story of a boy who starts to notice that his father is not using the pesticide correctly and that the wrong use causes environmental damage. The purpose of the play is letting the children, teenagers and adults know how important it is to follow the rules while using chemical agents. This play will be presented to the communities in order to educate the new generation of farmers. - Maintenance of the campaign where we have already followed all the steps listed above. New visits to the places so that the information is not forgotten and evaluation on the results and impacts of this actions in the environment. - Publication of the project in the local and regional press broadcasting it to the community in general.
Project results so far:
We verified that most of the small farmers are functional illiterate who therefore need help to read the instructions. During our visits, we helped them in comprehending the procedures presented in the leaflets and we advised them on their responsibility towards the environmental legislation. In the properties where the work has already been done, the empty pesticide bottles are being stored temporarily with their respective lids and labels in their own cardboard cases in a dry and aired place. When there are enough bottles, they are taken to a place where packaging is collected. After publicizing the project, we were offered help from many institutions such as União dos Escoteiros do Brasil, Instituto Nacional de Processamento de Embalagens Vazias – INPEV, Secretaria do Meio Ambiente de Erechim, NGO Elo Verde – Project for the revitalization of the rivers in Erechim, Universidade Federal de Santa Maria, local radio stations and newspapers. After 22 months developing this project, we estimate that more than 30 rural properties had benefits while adopting the process of washing and returning the packaging. It avoided throwing hundreds of pesticide bottles incorrectly in the environment.
