Low
toxicity pesticides - Wellington
City Council
Summary
The Parks and Gardens Business Unit has Pesticides Use Guidelines for purchasing only low toxicity pesticides with the aim of minimising unnecessary adverse effects on the environment. The Unit has a list of approved pesticides that can be used. If a unique circumstance occurs where a chemical is required that does not appear on the list, an application must be made to justify this, and where appropriate, approved by the Business Unit Manager.
Key drivers
The use of pesticides has increasingly become controversial, emotive and a highly politicised issue. The Parks and Gardens Business Unit are aware they can expect on-going public scrutiny and criticism for as long as pesticides are employed to control pests, diseases and weeds. The Unit has therefore committed to using only those on the approved list.
Project detail
The Unit has an existing list of approved chemicals that is reviewed annually. Again, low toxicity is a key criterion but this must be balanced against the purpose to which the chemical is being applied to ensure it is effective. The Business Unit is also committed to trialling new innovative products including organic products.
Key challenges
The key challenges identified by Wellington City Council include:
- The effectiveness of the products.
- The need to monitor what is actually being purchased, stored, transported and applied.
- Ensuring staff understand the rationale behind retaining an approved list of chemicals and that they don't become complacent and purchase new chemicals (not on the list). There is a need to remind staff to use the Dispensation Form.
- The need to inform suppliers of council's position on low toxicity chemicals to ensure they are not promoting products which do not meet these specifications or providing free trials on non-compliant products.
- Keeping up with industry developments is a challenge to ensure the list of approved chemicals remains the most environmentally friendly.
The Parks and Gardens Business Unit identifies communication, with staff and suppliers, as the key to overcoming many of these challenges. They have found that they need to be highly committed to monitor changes in the industry and diligent in monitoring staff purchases. A centralised purchasing system is also seen as a key method of overcoming many of the barriers raised above and this is to be raised at the next annual review.
Outcomes of project
The commitment to use low toxicity chemicals has reduced the number of requests for information that may otherwise have been received by councillors.
The quantity of low toxicity chemicals being used has reduced because Parks and Gardens are also supplementing with organic alternatives. The Unit has found that this has resulted in cost savings.
Health and safety risks have been reduced with the storage, transportation and use of lower toxicity chemicals. Only those staff who are trained and qualified can apply sprays.
As part of the commitment by the Business Unit it has also rationalised and established centralised storage thereby reducing risks. Independent audits have been conducted of pesticides, storage cabinets and stock lists.
