GOING
ORGANIC;
BUT AT
WHAT
COST?
by Miguel Sibrian
G
oing organic; it is one of the
latest buzz phrases. But, at
what cost? Not an expert in
organic chemicals? Here
is the approach from a
landscape perspective; use a distributor
of chemicals to best understand what the
non-organic and organic chemicals can do.
Going organic is at the top of every
association’s list. A standard approach to
chemical application by landscape service
providers is to use the least toxic chemical
that is available, but can still accomplish
the objective. All chemicals used on
landscape by a professional landscape
contractor must have a registration in
California, and this requirement can
limit what a landscape service provider
can offer. An Association might present a
brand to the landscape company and ask them to use it. If
the chemical is registered in California then it is possible
to consider use, but if it is not registered in California
the chemical cannot be used. An individual homeowner
can buy any kind of chemical at a big box store, but a
professional landscape service provider has an oligation
to protect the public and is limited to using commercial
grade chemicals registered in the State of California.
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SAN DIEGO COMMUNITY INSIDER
SPRING 2020
The California Department of Pesticide
Regulation (“CDPR”) mandates that the
employees of a landscape company be trained
in the safe handling of chemicals. Training
must include knowledge of the toxicity of the
chemical rated either with “danger, warning,
or caution” and at what rate the chemical
can safely be handled. And, employees must
know what safety precautions should be taken
when using the chemical, e.g. use with gloves,
rubber boots, safety goggles. San Diego
County, through the County Agriculture
Department, has personnnel randomly stop
and check landscape company workers to
ensure they are in compliance with regulations. A
violation can include a fine starting at $1,000.00, but
this amount increases based on the infraction or lack
of compliance.
If an association expects a landscape service
provider to use only organic chemicals, the association
should be prepared for an increase in the cost of
maintenance of anywhere from 20-30% to cover the