2020/2021 Grower Survey Results
Benchmarking serves as an important best practice and management tool within both the agricultural and the recycling sectors. It creates a reference point or standard and allows program operators and others to assess their performance.
In the fall of 2020 and early 2021, Cleanfarms commissioned quantitative grower surveys in select regions. The goal was to gain insights into current disposal habits of farmers using ag plastics to measure the performance of pilot projects aimed at helping farmers recycle a variety of these materials.
Results are summarized and available below by region:
For more information
Kim Timmer
Director, Stakeholder Relations and Policy
416-646-1258
timmerk@cleanfarms.ca
This project is funded in part by the Government of Canada through Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada’s Canadian Agricultural Strategic Priorities Program (CASPP), a $50.3 million, five-year investment to help the agricultural sector adapt and remain competitive.
Key Findings & Analysis
- When recycling programs are made available, farmers will overwhelmingly use them over other means.
- Overall, farmers are more satisfied when they can recycle an ag plastic versus other disposal methods like landfilling.
- Disposal habits generally reflect the availability and maturity of recycling programs in a region.
- There is a strong appetite amongst farmers to participate in pilots for recycling ag plastics.
- There is concern about potential costs associated with more permanent, long term recycling programs.
