Agsafe unveils evolution of drumMUSTER at Melbourne launch event
On Wednesday, 31 July 2024, Agsafe announced a major advancement for the drumMUSTER program at a highly anticipated launch event. This pioneering initiative, in partnership with Pact Group, represents an Australian first in the recycling of used chemical drums into new ones. Pact Group has begun producing plastic agricultural chemical drums incorporating up to 30% recycled material from containers collected through drumMUSTER, establishing a sustainable cycle for millions of plastic agricultural chemical containers. This innovative approach not only reduces waste but also conserves resources by creating a continuous cycle of reuse.
The launch event was a great success, highlighting the strong enthusiasm and support for the Drums-to-Drums initiative. The event began with a promotional video featuring industry leaders discussing the advanced recycling process and its significant impact on agricultural sustainability. The video showcased insights from drumMUSTER participants and highlighted the benefits of this closed-loop system in enhancing product stewardship.
Senator Raff Ciccone of Victoria officially opened the launch, emphasising the importance of this milestone. Matthew Cossey, CEO of CropLife Australia, spoke about its significance for the Australian agricultural industry. Raphael Geminder, Non-Executive Chair of Pact Group, shared his passion for recycling and its importance to Pact Group. Alicia Garden, Agsafe General Manager, served as the event's MC.
Attendees had the opportunity to tour Pact's state-of-the-art recycling facility in Altona North. This $50 million plant, operational since December 2023, recycles up to one billion 600ml PET plastic bottles annually, converting them into high-quality food-grade resin for new beverage bottles and food packaging. Additionally, a tour of the Circular Plastics Australia (PE) recycling facility at Laverton was available. This joint venture between Pact Group and Cleanaway recycles over 20,000 tonnes of high-density polyethylene (HDPE) and polypropylene (PP) annually, equivalent to more than half a billion plastic milk bottles and food tubs. The recycled resins are used to manufacture new food-grade and non-food-grade packaging, reducing reliance on virgin plastics and supporting local sustainability goals.
The event highlighted the collective commitment of Agsafe, CropLife Australia, and Pact Group to advancing agricultural sustainability through innovative recycling solutions. This new chapter in the drumMUSTER story exemplifies the program's dedication to environmental stewardship and resource conservation, paving the way for a more sustainable future in agricultural chemical management.
It’s important to note that the drumMUSTER program will continue to operate as it has for the past two decades, with no changes to the collection and recycling process you trust. We are simply adding a new recycling process that enhances the program's environmental benefits.