Agsafe's drumMUSTER program is surveying farmers on how to dispose of intermediate bulk containers, also known as IBCs or 1000 litre shuttles.
More than 20 farming organisations have been asked to distribute the survey to their members.
"This is an excellent opportunity to truly understand the issue from the farmer's perspective," Agsafe general manager Dominique Doyle said.
"The results of this survey will give insights into the issue and allow for the development of more sustainable farming practices for the future.
"I commend the commitment of the farming peak bodies across Australia for their support of this survey."
The IBCs are one cubic metre plastic drum, inside a metal cage.
The drumMUSTER program can currently only accept containers between 1-250 litres, but reconditioning and recycling of IBCs was carried out by several proprietary programs.
Ms Doyle said survey results would be collated, and shared between all participating organisations, in early 2020.
The purpose of the survey was to inform the industry as to the efficacy of current programs and the possible future needs for sustainable farming practices.
Ms Doyle said it was hoped to get a national snapshot of where IBCs were being stockpiled, to allow for concrete data to assist in formulating strategies to address the issue.
Victorian Farmers Federation Grains Group president Ash Fraser said while the drums could be returned, he believed a proper recycling program was required.
"We use a lot of them in our business, particularly for different polymers, used in seed coatings," Mr Fraser said.
"It's not just the grain growing sector that has issues with IBCs."
Mr Fraser said the drums were sought after, during drought, for use in watering stock.
"A lot of them have been converted into fire fighting pump units, as well," he said.
"It's got to the point where it's reaching saturation as to how many can be recycled.
"There needs to be a proper recycling scheme and to tack it onto drumMUSTER seems the most logical thing we can do."
The survey, www.surveymonkey.com/r/IBC_Survey, is open until December 12.
Andrew Miller
I'm a general reporter with Stock & Land, with a special interest in irrigation issues. I completed my cadetship, with the Age, in 1980. Over my career, I've worked for ABC radio news (Mt Isa, Qld) and at provincial and suburban newspapers.
I'm a general reporter with Stock & Land, with a special interest in irrigation issues. I completed my cadetship, with the Age, in 1980. Over my career, I've worked for ABC radio news (Mt Isa, Qld) and at provincial and suburban newspapers.
