Our new policy to ban all open burning of agricultural waste

Fresh Del Monte Produce is adopting a company-wide policy to stop the open burning of agricultural waste across its agricultural operations. The change applies to crop residues, pruning material, rejected produce, packaging remnants and other organic by-products that might otherwise be burned in fields or at farm facilities.

This decision supports healthier communities, cleaner air and more resilient farms. It also reflects a practical shift in how agricultural waste is managed: materials that were once treated as disposal problems can become compost, soil amendments, renewable energy feedstock or inputs for circular production systems.

Why open burning must end

Open burning releases smoke, fine particulate matter, carbon monoxide and other pollutants directly into the air. These emissions can affect farm workers, nearby residents and communities downwind, with particular risks for children, older people and those living with asthma or other respiratory conditions. Burning also sends carbon stored in plant material back into the atmosphere without capturing its potential value.

Agricultural fires can create additional hazards during hot, dry and windy weather. This concern is especially relevant in Australia, where bushfire seasons can place intense pressure on rural communities and emergency services. Smoke drifting toward Brisbane, Sydney or Perth can affect air quality far beyond the farm boundary, while a fire intended for crop residue can escape and threaten neighbouring properties or native vegetation.

The policy also recognises that environmental responsibility includes respect for local expectations and cultural values. In Australia, land management decisions may affect Traditional Owners, regional communities and ecosystems with deep cultural significance. Avoiding unnecessary fires helps reduce the risk of harm to Country and supports more careful consultation around agricultural operations.

What the policy covers

The ban applies to routine open-air burning of agricultural waste, including leaves, stems, stalks, fronds, vines, prunings and damaged or surplus produce. It covers burning conducted in fields, along farm margins and at operational sites. Contractors and suppliers working on behalf of Fresh Del Monte are expected to follow the same standard.

The policy does not prevent carefully controlled emergency action where an authorised authority requires burning for a specific biosecurity, fire-management or public-safety reason. Any exceptional activity must comply with local law, permitting requirements and internal approval processes. The goal is to eliminate disposal burning, not to disregard legitimate emergency controls.

Implementation will depend on local conditions. A banana-growing region, a pineapple farm and a packing facility may have very different waste streams, equipment and transport distances. Each operation will assess the volume and type of residues it generates, identify approved alternatives and document how waste is moved, processed or reused.

This approach is designed to work across varied agricultural landscapes while maintaining one clear expectation: open burning is no longer an acceptable routine method for managing farm waste.

Turning residues into useful resources

The first preference is to prevent waste where possible. Better harvest planning, improved grading, equipment maintenance and careful handling can reduce the amount of material that needs treatment. Produce that does not meet retail specifications may still be suitable for processing, animal feed or other beneficial uses, subject to food safety and local regulations.

Organic residues can be chipped, shredded or composted to return nutrients and organic matter to the soil. Mulching may help protect soil from erosion, retain moisture and moderate temperatures around plants. These practices are valuable in regions where heat, water scarcity and declining soil structure affect long-term productivity.

Some waste streams may support anaerobic digestion, biomass energy or biochar production. These options require suitable infrastructure and responsible controls, but they can reduce disposal impacts while creating energy or soil benefits. Fresh Del Monte will consider the full life cycle of each alternative, including transport emissions, contamination risks, water use and the quality of the final product.

Agroforestry can also contribute to a broader resource strategy by combining productive crops with trees and vegetation that support soil health, biodiversity and climate resilience. Research on the benefits of agroforestry illustrates why farm systems should be assessed as connected landscapes rather than as isolated production activities.

Priorities for farms and facilities

Every operation will begin with a waste assessment. Teams will identify where residues arise, how much is produced during peak periods and whether materials are clean enough for composting, animal feed or energy recovery. The assessment will also consider seasonal constraints, local contractors and the distance to approved processing sites.

Practical priorities include:

• Separate organic residues from plastics, metal and treated materials
• Use mulching or composting where soil and crop conditions allow
• Send suitable by-products to approved recovery or processing partners
• Keep records of volumes, destinations and any authorised exceptions

Training will be important because a policy is only effective when people understand both the requirement and the reason behind it. Farm managers, field crews, maintenance teams and contractors will receive guidance on storage, transport, fire prevention and spill control. Sites will also review equipment needs, such as chippers, composting areas, covered storage or sealed transport containers.

Australian operations must account for local fire restrictions, state and territory environmental rules and seasonal weather patterns. Requirements can differ between Queensland, New South Wales, Victoria, Western Australia and other jurisdictions. A consistent company policy provides a common baseline while local procedures address the legal and operational details of each location.

Measuring progress and accountability

Progress will be tracked through operational records and site-level reviews. Useful indicators include the quantity of agricultural waste generated, the percentage diverted from burning, the proportion reused or recovered and the number of exceptions approved. These measures can show whether the policy is changing outcomes rather than simply changing written procedures.

Monitoring will also examine whether alternatives create unintended impacts. Composting can produce odour if poorly managed, storage areas can attract pests and transport can increase emissions if routes are inefficient. Responsible waste management therefore requires controls, inspections and corrective action, not just a change in disposal method.

Suppliers and contractors will be included in oversight where their activities involve Fresh Del Monte materials or sites. Contracts, training records and verification checks can help establish clear responsibilities. If a non-compliance event occurs, the response may include investigation, remediation, retraining and stronger controls to prevent recurrence.

Transparent reporting helps stakeholders understand the practical results. Customers, workers, communities and investors increasingly expect companies to explain how environmental commitments operate in the field. Reporting progress also gives local teams a way to share successful approaches that may be adapted elsewhere.

Benefits for communities and the food system

Ending open burning can improve the experience of people living near agricultural areas by reducing smoke, ash and unpleasant odours. It can also support farm-worker wellbeing and reduce the chance that a field fire becomes a wider incident. In towns near growing regions, these benefits are especially meaningful during periods of heat, drought and high fire danger.

The policy connects with expectations in the Australian food market. Shoppers in Melbourne, Sydney and Adelaide increasingly look at how food is grown, packed and transported, while retailers are setting their own environmental requirements. Fresh produce sold through supermarkets, independent grocers and hospitality businesses is part of a supply chain in which waste prevention and responsible land management matter from farm to store.

The shift may create local economic opportunities as well. Compost producers, biomass operators, transport providers and recycling specialists can help farms manage materials more effectively. Collaboration with regional businesses may keep value within agricultural communities while building capacity for future circular-economy projects.

The benefits extend beyond emissions. Returning organic matter to soil, protecting nearby habitats and reducing accidental fire risk can strengthen the ecological foundations of food production. These outcomes support the wider sustainability strategy covering healthy food, community development, environmental protection and ethical business practices.

Building a lasting standard

A ban on open burning is a clear operational requirement, but its long-term value will come from the systems built around it. Farms need realistic alternatives, facilities need adequate equipment and teams need reliable data. Continuous review will help identify where investment, technical support or partnerships are required.

The policy will be integrated with broader work on climate action, soil health, biodiversity, water stewardship and sustainable sourcing. Waste management should be considered when new crops are planted, facilities are designed or suppliers are selected. Planning for residues early is more effective than searching for a solution after a seasonal peak.

For Australian communities, the message is straightforward: agricultural productivity and clean air should advance together. By replacing routine field burning with recovery, reuse and responsible treatment, Fresh Del Monte can reduce local pollution while making better use of resources.

The point to remember is simple: agricultural waste should be managed as a resource, not burned as a disposable burden.