Each year millions of tons of pesticides are used around the world. In fact, an estimated US$55 billion is spent on the global pesticide market annually. Six major players — Syngenta, BASF, Bayer, Dow, Du Pont and Monsanto — control the majority of the toxic chemical market. Although global figures are hard to come by, industry reports suggest an estimated 1.5 - 2.5 million tons of pesticides are used annually. Green Communities Canada writes that hectare for hectare, urban lawns and greenspaces are sprayed more intensively than most farms. Even with a growing backlash against deadly pesticides, the amount used globally continues to increase each year.