Brasília, 3/24/2004 (Agência Brasil) - Brazil has become a leader in one aspect of the battle against pollution: the collection of empty, used agrotoxic (insecticides and pesticides) packaging. The country's National Institute of Used Package Processing (Inpev) reports that this year an estimated 11.7 tons of such packages will be removed from circulation. So far this year, the average monthly removal rate is running at 2,200 tons, compared to 850 tons last year during the same period.

On the average in Brazil, 50% of all empty, used agrotoxic packaging is removed from circulation. In the United States the average is 25%.

After the used packaging is collected it is recycled or incinerated. Brazil is the only country in the world with specific legislation, dating from 2000, on the collection and final destination of agrotoxic packaging.

Last year Inpev had 230 collection units. This year it will have 400 in operation, employing 3,000 workers. (translator: Allen Bennett)