Potato growers urged to return Surefill containers

Potato growers that fail to return their Nemathorin Surefill containers could be in breach of new waste regulations, as well as threatening the viability of the returnable packaging initiative. Furthermore, they will incur the unnecessary costs of safe disposal.

Currently just 80% of last season's Nemathorin Surefill containers have been returned for refilling, which could leave supplies short next spring and incur additional cost of purchasing replacements, reports Syngenta Potato Manager, Simon Parker.

"We have provided Nemathorin in the returnable, closed-transfer system, Surefill containers as a no-cost benefit that gives environmental safety and operator handling advantages over conventional packaging. For growers, it also eliminates the escalating costs of packaging disposal.

"The unprecedented demand for Nemathorin last season meant all available stocks in Surefill containers were used, and now need to refilled in time for next season." Mr Parker adds that the returnable containers fulfill all growers' obligations for minimising packaging waste and reducing the costs of container recycling.

"In addition to their legal obligation to manage packaging waste, retailer and processor protocols are increasingly judging potato growers' environmental impact; using returnable Nemathorin Surefills scores positively in meeting these objectives."

Any growers with stocks of empty Surefill containers can return them through their distributors, and should retain a collection note to verify their duty of care compliance within the waste management regulations.