Responsible Seed Disposal Solution

The seed industry plays a vital role in ensuring global food security. To achieve optimal yields and protect crops from devastating pests and diseases, seed treatments have become an essential tool. These treatments, often containing pesticides, fungicides, or other protectants, offer numerous benefits to farmers:  

• Improved Germination Rates: Seed treatments can enhance germination by combating seed-borne diseases that can hinder sprout development.
• Enhanced Crop Protection: Early-stage protection from insects and diseases provided by seed treatments allows for stronger, healthier seedlings and improved crop establishment.
• Increased Yields: By safeguarding crops from damaging pests and diseases, seed treatments contribute directly to higher yields at harvest.
• Reduced Reliance on Foliar Sprays: Seed treatments offer a targeted approach to pest and disease control, minimizing the need for later-season foliar sprays that can be more labor-intensive and potentially harmful to the environment.

Treated seeds pose a unique disposal challenge due to the presence of pesticides. Improper disposal methods, like landfilling or land application, can lead to:

• Environmental Contamination: Heavy concentrations of treated seeds disposed in one location can lead to pesticides leaching into soil and groundwater, harming beneficial organisms and potentially entering the food chain.
• Accidental Exposure: Improper disposal of treated seeds can lead to harmful exposure to wildlife.
• Seed Germination Issues: Improperly disposed seeds could inadvertently germinate, leading to unintended growth of treated plants.

Cement kilns offer a safe and effective solution for complete treated seed destruction. These industrial facilities operate at extremely high temperatures (often exceeding 1500°C). This intense heat provides:

• Complete Breakdown: The high temperatures and long residency times in cement kilns destroy both the seed and the seed treatment.
• Emission Control Systems: Modern cement kilns utilize advanced emission control systems that capture and filter pollutants, minimizing environmental impact.
• Regulated Systems: Cement kilns follow strict local, state and federal regulations which require frequent testing and environmental reporting. These practices ensure the seed is handled responsibly. 
• Energy Recovery: The burning process in cement kilns can even generate usable energy, offering an additional sustainability benefit.
• Zero Residue: The remaining ash from the seed is mixed in with the Portland cement making the seed 100% reused. 

Choosing complete destruction through cement kilns offers several advantages for the seed industry:

• Environmental Responsibility: Seed companies demonstrate a commitment to environmental stewardship by using an approved disposal method that minimizes environmental risks.
• Public Safety: Complete destruction safeguards public health by mitigating the possibility of accidental exposure to pesticides.
• Regulatory Compliance:  This method adheres to  regulations regarding the disposal of waste materials, including treated seeds.
• Maintaining Seed Quality:  Treated seeds have a specific shelf life and may lose their effectiveness over time. Reselling expired seeds could lead to poor crop performance and economic losses for farmers.  Complete destruction ensures only high-quality treated seeds reach growers.
• Preserving Intellectual Property: Seed companies invest heavily in research and development to create effective seed treatments.  Resale of treated seeds could compromise intellectual property rights and undermine the value of these innovations. Complete destruction safeguards these investments.
• Eliminating Risk of Counterfeiting:  Counterfeit seeds treated with unknown or ineffective substances can pose a significant threat to crop yields and potentially introduce new pests or diseases.  Complete destruction eliminates the possibility of treated seeds entering the counterfeit market.

While complete destruction via cement kilns offers a clear advantage for treated seed disposal, partnering with the right service provider is crucial to ensure a smooth, efficient, and responsible process. Not every cement kiln has the permitting and safety capabilities for handling treated seeds. Choose a partner that has:

• Experience in handling treated seeds 
• All the necessary permits for burning treated seeds
• Provides certificate of destruction insuring the seed was properly and completely destroyed.

At Alternative Ag Group, we understand the importance of responsible and efficient treated seed disposal. We offer a complete solution that takes care of everything for you. From the moment your out of code seeds leave your warehouse, we handle the entire process. Our experienced team will arrange safe and secure transportation to a certified cement kiln facility. Once the destruction is complete, you'll receive a comprehensive Certificate of Destruction documenting the weight, type, and complete disposal of your seeds. Let Alternative Ag Group give you peace of mind knowing your treated seeds are handled safely, securely and in the most sustainable process available.