Syngenta Hellas

Managing waste liquids in the field, containing plant protection product residues, with the ultimate goal of protecting water courses from point source contamination.

Growers.

The program was launched as a pilot in 2011 and continues till today.

Best management practices and water quality

When handling and using plant protection products (PPPs) at the farm, it is important that Best Management Practices (BMPs) are implemented to prevent the contamination of water courses.

This means implementing BMPs to prevent contamination from point sources. Product left-overs, rinsate from cleaning spray equipment, leakages from not rinsed PPP containers and product spills, are examples of potential point sources. If not managed, point sources can become the main source of water contamination.

It is good practice to first stop contamination at source. The impact of point sources is underestimated and needs therefore appropriate attention to avoid water contamination.

Heliosec is a simple and efficient way to manage the residues from point sources, by collecting them and reducing the volume of contaminated liquid to a level that is economical for waste disposal. Heliosec can help growers meet the requirements for the sustainable use of pesticides while protecting the quality of water bodies.

Heliosec, what is it?
Heliosec supports improving the handling of effluent at the farm in a sustainable, simple and cost-effective manner.

Heliosec uses evaporation to separate chemicals from collected waste water. Sunlight and wind evaporate the water, leaving the residues of plant protection products behind as a dry deposit.

A software program has been developed to support the installation of Heliosec. The program allows for the estimation of the annual amount of effluent generated at the farm depending on the planned number of cleaning operations. With evaporation data included into the software it is also possible to simulate whether all effluent collected can be managed by one Heliosec or if more Heliosec are needed

How does Heliosec work?
Heliosec consists of a tank protected by a grid. A liner is placed inside the tank to contain effluent poured into it. The tank is covered by a transparent roof that accelerates evaporation by the action of sunlight. The dry residue that remains in the liner is collected and stored in a sealed, plastic bag for safe disposal at a waste treatment center.

Inside the tank there is gauge for measuring the volume of waste waters. This gauge is specifically designed for the system.
Heliosec needs to be placed at a safe distance from water courses, work places, domestic areas and roads and in areas where proper waste treatment centers are available.

Several options are available to install Heliosec. The most common is when the mixing and loading activities, as well as sprayer cleaning, can take place on an elevated platform with proper bunding. The surface of the platform is inclined towards a drain that leads effluent from washings through a pipe directly into the tank of Heliosec.

In Greece Heliosec system was established for the first time in 2011 as part of the Ecopest program, with the support of Benaki Phytophathological Institute.

The aim of  Syngenta’s employees/agronomists is to promote practical and sustainable solutions for the growers, in the framework of Responsible Agriculture, with respect to the farmers and the environment.

Greece and other EU countries.

What are the benefits of Heliosec?
Heliosec is simple, effective and safe to use: it requires minimal maintenance, the disposal volume is small and it helps assessing and monitor water consumption at the farm
Heliosec provides a long-term solution to improve effluent management on the farm and prevent water contamination. In particular, Heliosec:

• helps minimize the amount of residue for disposal, due to evaporating the liquid
• can manage effluent that contain mixtures of plant protection products and other waste except oils that form a layer which prevents evaporation
• adapts to the volumes of effluent that need managing, by installing a larger Heliosec unit (a tank of 2m x 3m with a storage capacity of 2500 liter compared to a tank of 2m x 2m with a storage capacity of 1600 liter) or multiple units

Implementation in Greece
Heliosec was first implemented in Greece in the area of Chaironia, as part of the Ecopest project 
Today, Initiated by Syngenta and in collaboration with professional farmers and food chain companies, more than 30 systems have been delivered and already installed.
Heliosec system is a practical tool for the grower in the framework or Responsible and Sustainable Agriculture, integrating water protection measures in agricultural practices.  

• Promotion of CSR
• Promotion of solution in the framework of Responsible and Sustainable Agriculture