FBN® customers in Canada can initiate a return of empty containers by contacting FBN Customer Support at 1-844-200-3276 or support@farmersbusinessnetwork.com.
Conditions for Empty Container Pickup
Empty container location is within 320 kilometers of one of the following FBN owned warehouses:
Customer has a forklift, tractor, etc. and is able to load empty containers into truck.
Containers/pallets (if product is palletized) must be return ready based on below requirements.
Customer must sign a certification form at the time of pickup stating the products were sold to them by FBN and that the empty containers align with the conditions stated below. We will not accept any empty containers without this form being signed.
Detailed Requirements for Containers
Containers must be in a condition to be reused/recycled (if a grower is uncertain on whether an empty is in acceptable condition, they can send pictures to FBN Customer Support to ensure acceptable quality. See these examples from a few refurbishing companies showing empty containers in unacceptable conditions).
Containers are jug, drum, or tote package size
Outside of container must be free from product contamination and dirt
Container cannot have been used for any product other than that listed on the original label
All original labels, markers, hazmat classifications, etc., must be legible and in place
Jugs
Jugs are emptied, triple rinsed and cleaned properly with no residual product
Remove caps and booklets (place in garbage); leave the glued-on label. Remove metal handle from fertilizer pails. Lastly, ensure the empty jugs are placed in a Cleanfarms or other polyethylene bag*
*Seed treatments need to be separated out into separate bags
Totes
All valves must be closed
Totes contain no more than 2” of residual product
Bottles must be intact, free of punctures, cuts and cracks
Bottles must be secured with the proper fill caps, gaskets and bungs
Bottles should not be painted, marked or covered with residue
Totes must be securely closed with original lids and closures and lids and closures need to be operational
Cage must be free of excessive rust and bowing and there should be no or few broken welds or missing bolts
Cages should not be painted, marked or covered with residue
Drums
Drums contain no more than 2” of residual product
Bottles must be intact, free of punctures, cuts and cracks
Bottles must be secured with the proper fill caps, gaskets and bungs
Bottles should not be painted, marked or covered with residue
Detailed Requirements for Pallets
Plastic and steel pallets must have all welds and bolts intact with no broken or bent corners
Wooden pallets must have no broken or missing boards
Important things to note:
FBN does not have the footprint of brick and mortar locations spread across Western Canada of traditional retail and we do not charge deposits on our drums and totes. Because of this, it is not reasonable to expect that empty containers will be picked up immediately. They will be picked up when there are other deliveries or returns in the area and special trips will not be made for a single pick up. Depending on the time of year, this could lead to waiting a few days to a few months for the pickup to occur.
The consolidation of empties at a single location between growers in an area will generally lead to quicker pickups.
Program is subject to change.