Stewardship
Pyrethroids Working Group
PWG has been actively working with regulators and others to promote improvements in stewardship and steps to mitigate environmental and human exposure. Begun in 2009, this work with regulators has been matched with PWG outreach programs to pest management professionals and growers.
The most substantial stewardship program has been the national ApplyResponsibly campaign, which continues to reach millions of consumers with information to help ensure pesticides with pyrethroids are used, stored and disposed of safely, effectively and according to the label instructions – around the home and garden.
Other Public and Industry Education
Additionally, there are many stewardship and public education initiatives operated by individual pesticide companies, trade associations (CropLife America and RISE), including and public-private partnerships, including The Pesticide Stewardship Alliance.
Stewardship Best Practices
The manufacturers of pyrethroids and other pesticides typically adhere to eight fundamental principles necessary for the successful implementation of product stewardship, which integrates all aspects of a product throughout its lifecycle.
1) Research & Development:
The commitment to develop new products and services developed to be sustainable and address everything from impacts on productivity, environment and human health.
2) Production:
The production phase ensures a high safety standard to protect workers, communities and the environment. Throughout the process, companies maintain quality control to ensure the integrity of products.
3) Packaging:
The industry will comply with international and national standards for safety for all methods of shipping of potentially hazardous goods. The packaging of pesticides will be in accordance with legal requirements and established standards.
4) Marketing & Distribution:
Companies pledge to ensure ethical sales and marketing practices. The industry complies with regulations, laws and good business practices that are honest, reliable and responsive to concerns of customers.
5) Integrated Pest Management:
Companies focus on how their products are incorporated into Integrated Pest Management strategies. This includes farmer training and adopting approved insect resistance management tools.
6) Responsible Use:
Companies focus on how their products are incorporated into Integrated Pest Management strategies. This includes farmer training and adopting approved insect resistance management tools.
7) Container Management:
The industry defines proper steps to clean empty containers so they may be defined as non-hazardous waste products.
8) Disposal:
When products come to the end of their lifecycle, companies will comply with proper disposal of their excess or obsolete materials. At a consumer level, EPA approved labels also spell out proper ways to dispose of unused pesticides.
