Cleanfarms Recycling ‘Open for Business’ in Saskatchewan to Support Producers Who Use Grain Bags

Empty grain bags rolled and ready for recycling.

MOOSE JAW, Saskatchewan (October 29, 2021)—As the harvest season draws to a close, Cleanfarms would like to remind producers who are emptying grain bags this fall or cleaning out from previous years that its grain bag recycling collection sites are fully open across the province and ready for producers to bring their used ag plastics in for recycling.

While the growing season has been challenging in many ways, Cleanfarms reports that so far this year, producers have returned more than 2,055 tonnes of grain bags for recycling. With nine weeks left in the year, Cleanfarms says Saskatchewan producers may even close the gap to matching the 2,536 tonnes collected for recycling in 2020.

Forty-four collection sites across Saskatchewan from Meadow Lake in the northwest to Carievale in the southeast are set up to receive used, rolled grain bags, including a number of new locations that are now open for producers around Regina, Biggar, and Preeceville.

The new sites make it more convenient for many Saskatchewan producers to get to a collection location. Some collection sites also have grain bag rollers available to enable producers to prepare the bags on site for recycling.

“Our network of collections sites, along with the logistics, loading, shipping and program management are all Saskatchewan-based which adds to the local economy while at the same time, doing the important job of collecting used plastics for recycling. Not only does the Cleanfarms recycling program keep the used plastics out of the environment, it fuels the circular economy so the plastic is used again,” said Cleanfarms Executive Director Barry Friesen.

Recycled grain bags are used to make new products such as plastic construction sheet products and industrial garbage bags.

Grain bag recycling in Saskatchewan was a first-of-its-kind agricultural recycling program established under the province’s Agricultural Packaging Product Waste Stewardship Regulations (2016).

When it got underway in 2018, it was the only government-regulated extended producer responsibility program of its kind in Canada. Now Manitoba is set up to recover grain bags and baler twine and Cleanfarms is operating pilots to collect information on recovery patterns in Alberta.

Collecting used grain bags in Saskatchewan is growing year over year. In 2018, Cleanfarms recovered 1,257 tonnes or grain bags. In 2020, Saskatchewan farmers doubled this, returning 2,536 tonnes of grain bags for recycling.

Cleanfarms’ research estimates that Canadian farmers use nearly 62,000 tonnes of ag plastic products and packaging annually. More than half of that, about 53%, is generated in the Prairie provinces.

“This program has progressed significantly over the past four years. Our collection rate in Saskatchewan in 2020 represent 63% of the material that was available. We have Saskatchewan producers to thank for that along with our 44 collection partners,” said Friesen. “We are very grateful they are continuing to participate so enthusiastically in this recycling program.”

Cleanfarms is an industry stewardship organization that fulfills the commitment of its industry members to manage their products and packaging when farmers are finished with them. The other programs are:

  • a nation-wide recycling program for small pesticide and fertilizer containers/jugs
  • a nation-wide recycling program for large non-deposit plastic totes and drums for pesticides and fertilizers
  • a nation-wide collection and proper disposal program for unwanted pesticides and old, obsolete livestock and equine medications
  • a disposal program for seed and pesticide bags in eastern Canada and fertilizer bags in Quebec.

Cleanfarms is also operating a series of pilot projects from British Columbia to Prince Edward Island to collect data on how to recover and recycle used plastic bale and silage wrap, baler twine and bunker covers. The information will help communities evaluate more long term solutions.

Information about the location of ag plastic collection sites is provided at Cleanfarms.ca

About Cleanfarms

Cleanfarms is a national not-for-profit organization that delivers industry-funded, end-of-life stewardship programs to the agricultural sector across Canada. It works collaboratively with more than 70 members in the pesticide, fertilizer, seed, ag plastic, and animal health medication sectors, as well as partner agencies, and governments to ensure that Canadian farmers can actively contribute to a healthy environment and a sustainable future.

Cleanfarms has over ten years’ experience identifying and helping to develop North American markets for agricultural plastics through the ongoing development and management of farmer-focused recycling programs. It has staff located in Lethbridge, Alberta; Moose Jaw, Saskatchewan; Etobicoke, Ontario; and St-Bruno, Quebec.

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Contact: Barbara McConnell, Cleanfarms Media
416-452-2373
bmcconnell@cleanfarms.ca

Cleanfarms Collecting Unwanted Agricultural Pesticides and Old Livestock/Equine Medications in New Brunswick November 1 to 12

Containers of unwanted pesticides and old livestock/equine medications recovered for safe disposal at a recent Cleanfarms collection event. – Cleanfarms photo

(ETOBICOKE, ON) October 25, 2021 – Cleanfarms is back in New Brunswick holding events in 11 locations from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m., November 1 to 12 to collect unwanted and old agricultural pesticides and obsolete livestock, equine and farm animal medications.

Cleanfarms operates this program so farmers can dispose of these unwanted materials keeping them out of the environment and managed for safe disposal.

Cleanfarms’ “Unwanted Pesticides and Old Livestock/Equine Medications” collection program is funded entirely by its crop input members and through a partnership with the Canadian Animal Health Institute (CAHI). The program rotates into various regions across Canada every three years. Farmers can use the program at no charge to them.

“Farmers wait for this program to come back to their region. We know they are eager to dispose of these old materials safely without risk to the environment. It helps them keep their farms clean and sustainable,” said Cleanfarms Executive Director Barry Friesen.

Since the program began more than 10 years ago, 3.7 million kg of unwanted pesticides and 52,000 kg of obsolete farm animal (cattle, horses, goats, poultry) health medications have been collected across the country.

This year’s collection sites are (in alpha order):

  • DRUMMOND – New Denmark Trucking, 194 Station Rd., 506-473-1086
  • FLORENCEVILLE-BRISTOL – McCain Produce, 16 McCain Produce Rd., 506-392-3229
  • FREDERICTON – Co-op Home & Farm, 317 Saint Mary’s St., 506-458-9308
  • GAGETOWN – Appleman Farms Ltd., 16 Fox Rd., 506-488-2147
  • HARTLAND – Hartland Agromart Ltd., 40 Industrial Dr., 506-392-7464
  • MONCTON – South Eastern Farmers Co-op, 200 Collishaw St., 506-858-6600
  • PETIT-ROCHER- Chaleur Fertilizers Ltd., 558 Industry St., 506-783-4216
  • SAINT ANDRÉ – Agromart Grand Falls, 38 Després Rd., 506-473-1941
  • SAINT JOHN – Halifax Seed, 664 Rothesay Ave., 506-633-2032
  • SALISBURY – Cavendish, 3030 Fredericton Rd., 506-372-9309
  • SUSSEX – Sussex Co-op, 25 Union St., 506-432-1826

Event details can be found on Cleanfarms.ca under “what to recycle & where”. COVID precautions will be in place.

Materials accepted in the Cleanfarms program include:

  • old or unwanted agricultural pesticides (identified with a Pest Control Product number on the label)
  • commercial pesticides for golf courses and industrial and commercial pest control products (identified with a Pest Control Product number on the label)
  • medications that are used in rearing animals in an agricultural context or for equine use (identified with a DIN number, serial number or Pest Control Product number on the label)
  • only partially full and opened jugs of adjuvant and surfactant will be accepted.

The program does NOT accept:

  • fertilizer, diluted solution, large quantities of unopened product, and treated seed
  • needles/sharps, medicated feed, aerosol containers, premises disinfectants/sanitizers, veterinary clinic waste and medications, ear tags, and aerosols
  • any other household hazardous waste
  • full and unopened jugs of adjuvant and surfactant.

This program will return to New Brunswick in 2024.

About Cleanfarms

Cleanfarms is a national not-for-profit organization that delivers industry-funded, end-of-life stewardship programs to the agricultural sector across Canada. It works collaboratively with more than 70 members in the pesticide, fertilizer, seed, ag plastic, and animal health medication sectors, as well as partner agencies, and governments to ensure that Canadian farmers can actively contribute to a healthy environment and a sustainable future.

Cleanfarms has over ten years’ experience identifying and helping to develop North American markets for agricultural plastics through the ongoing development and management of farmer-focused recycling programs. It has staff located in Lethbridge, Alberta; Moose Jaw, Saskatchewan; Etobicoke, Ontario; and St-Bruno, Quebec.

www.cleanfarms.ca

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Media Contact:
Barbara McConnell
media@cleanfarms.ca
P. 613-471-1816
M. 416-452-2373

Cleanfarms Collecting Unwanted Agricultural Pesticides and Old Livestock/Equine Medications in Nova Scotia November 1 to 12

Containers of unwanted pesticides and old livestock/equine medications recovered for safe disposal at a recent Cleanfarms collection event. – Cleanfarms photo

(ETOBICOKE, ON) October 22, 2021 – Cleanfarms is back in Nova Scotia holding events in 11 locations from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m., November 1 to 12 to collect unwanted and old agricultural pesticides and old, obsolete livestock, equine and farm animal medications.

Cleanfarms operates this program so farmers can dispose of these unwanted materials keeping them out of the environment and managed for safe disposal.

Cleanfarms’ “Unwanted Pesticides and Old Livestock/Equine Medications” collection program is funded entirely by its crop input members and through a partnership with the Canadian Animal Health Institute (CAHI). The program rotates into various regions across Canada every three years. Farmers can use the program at no charge to them.

“Farmers wait for this program to come back to their region. We know they are eager to dispose of these old materials safely without risk to the environment. It helps them keep their farms clean and sustainable,” said Cleanfarms Executive Director Barry Friesen.

Since the program began more than 10 years ago, 3.7 million kg of unwanted pesticides and 52,000 kg of obsolete farm animal (cattle, horses, goats, poultry) health medications have been collected across the country.

This year’s collection sites are (in alpha order):

  • AMHERST – Amherst Co-op Country Store, 17 Lawrence St., 902-667-1278
  • ANTIGONISH – Antigonish Farm & Garden Co-op, 91 Saint Andrews St., 902-863-1436
  • COLDBROOK – Scotian Gold Co-op Ltd., 7021 Hwy 1, 902-679-0788
  • COLLINGWOOD – Braggs Oxford, 99 Bragg Rd., 902-686-3254
  • HALIFAX – Halifax Seed, 5860 Kane St., 902-455-4364
  • KENTVILLE – Cavendish Agri Services, 1205 Hwy 359, 902-678-6191
  • MILFORD STATION – Corridor Co-op, 2289 Hwy 2, 902-758-2046
  • SYDNEY – United Farmers Co-op, 502 Keltic Dr., 902-564-8134
  • TRURO – Cavendish Agri Services, 38 Wade Rd., 902-893-6950
  • UPPER ONSLOW, TRURO – Agromart, 547 Onslow Rd., 902-895-2857
  • WILMONT – Cavendish Agri Services, 14062 Hwy 1, 902-825-4878

Event details can be found on Cleanfarms.ca under “what to recycle & where”. COVID precautions will be in place.

Materials accepted in the Cleanfarms program include:

  • old or unwanted agricultural pesticides (identified with a Pest Control Product number on the label)
  • commercial pesticides for golf courses and industrial and commercial pest control products (identified with a Pest Control Product number on the label)
  • medications that are used in rearing animals in an agricultural context or for equine use (identified with a DIN number, serial number or Pest Control Product number on the label)

Only partially full and opened jugs of adjuvant and surfactant will be accepted.

The program does NOT accept:

  • fertilizer, diluted solution, large quantities of unopened product, and treated seed
  • needles/sharps, medicated feed, aerosol containers, premises disinfectants/sanitizers, veterinary clinic waste and medications, ear tags, and aerosols
  • any other household hazardous waste
  • full and unopened jugs of adjuvant and surfactant

This program will return to Nova Scotia in 2024.

About Cleanfarms

Cleanfarms is a national not-for-profit organization that delivers industry-funded, end-of-life stewardship programs to the agricultural sector across Canada. It works collaboratively with more than 70 members in the pesticide, fertilizer, seed, ag plastic, and animal health medication sectors, as well as partner agencies, and governments to ensure that Canadian farmers can actively contribute to a healthy environment and a sustainable future.

Cleanfarms has over ten years’ experience identifying and helping to develop North American markets for agricultural plastics through the ongoing development and management of farmer-focused recycling programs. It has staff located in Lethbridge, Alberta; Moose Jaw, Saskatchewan; Etobicoke, Ontario; and St-Bruno, Quebec.

www.cleanfarms.ca

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Media Contact:
Barbara McConnell
media@cleanfarms.ca
P. 613-471-1816
M. 416-452-2373

Waste Reduction Week a Reminder that Farmers Can Still Recycle Empty Plastic Pesticide and Fertilizer Jugs

Cleanfarms reminds farmers they can recycle empty, rinsed pesticide and fertilizer jugs until the end of October. – Cleanfarms photo

Recycling Collection Sites Will Take Empties Until the End of October—

Etobicoke, ON (Oct. 18, 2021) –Waste Reduction Week Canada comes up next week, Monday, October 18 to Friday, October 22. Each day of the week is designated to highlight key issues bringing them to the attention of Canadians. Thursday is designated as “plastics” day. The designation opens the door for Cleanfarms to remind Canadian farmers that they still have time to recycle those empty pesticide and fertilizer containers they may have stored in their farmyards or sheds.

Cleanfarms, the national stewardship organization that recovers agricultural waste like plastic jugs for recycling will keep their collection locations across the country open and ready to take rinsed, empty jugs until the end of October.

More than 1,600 collection locations work with Cleanfarms accepting millions of empty plastic containers 23L and smaller throughout the growing season. The Cleanfarms program keeps these used plastic materials out of the environment and reinvested in the circular economy.

Last year, Canadian farmers brought back more than 76% of the containers put into the marketplace, amounting to about 5.5 million empty jugs. It brought the total since the collection program began more than 30 years ago to 137.4 million containers returned for recycling.

“We’re making steady progress toward higher recovery rates of the empty jugs for recycling and we credit Canadian farmers for making this program the success it is. But we have a challenge for farmers. We want 100% of them back this year,” said Cleanfarms Executive Director Barry Friesen.

When the jugs are recycled, the plastic gets put to good use. It is used to make such items as farm drainage tile, fence posts, dimensional lumber used in construction and plastic pallets.

Recycling empty (and triple rinsed) pesticide and fertilizer jugs is one of five programs Cleanfarms operates. It is an industry stewardship organization that fulfills the commitment of its industry members in the crop inputs and crop storage industries to manage their products and packaging when farmers are finished with them. The other programs are:

  • a nation-wide recycling program for large non-deposit plastic totes and drums for pesticides and fertilizers
  • a nation-wide collection and proper disposal program for unwanted pesticides and old, obsolete livestock and equine medications
  • recycling programs for grain bags and agricultural baler twine, and
  • a disposal program for seed and pesticide bags in eastern Canada and fertilizer bags in Quebec

Cleanfarms is also operating a series of pilot projects from British Columbia to Prince Edward Island to collect data on how to recover and recycle used plastic bale and silage wrap and bunker covers. The information will help develop permanent programs.

“Cleanfarms works with farmers and farming organizations to set up recycling and responsible disposal programs that give farmers peace of mind that these waste resource materials are managed responsibly when they are no longer needed or wanted. It’s good for farmers and good for the environment” Friesen said.

Information about the location of ag plastic collection sites is provided at Cleanfarms.ca

About Cleanfarms

Cleanfarms is a national not-for-profit organization that delivers industry-funded, end-of-life stewardship programs to the agricultural sector across Canada. It works collaboratively with more than 70 members in the pesticide, fertilizer, seed, ag plastic, and animal health medication sectors, as well as partner agencies, and governments to ensure that Canadian farmers can actively contribute to a healthy environment and a sustainable future.

Cleanfarms has over ten years’ experience identifying and helping to develop North American markets for agricultural plastics through the ongoing development and management of farmer-focused recycling programs. It has staff located in Lethbridge, Alberta; Moose Jaw, Saskatchewan; Etobicoke, Ontario; and St-Bruno, Quebec.

-30-

Contact: Barbara McConnell, Cleanfarms Media
416-452-2373
bmcconnell@cleanfarms.ca

Cleanfarms Now Collecting Unwanted Agricultural Pesticides and Old Livestock/Equine Medications in Southern Alberta

Events at specific locations from October 25 to 29 —

Containers of unwanted, old pesticides and obsolete livestock, equine and farm animal medications recovered at a recent Cleanfarms collection event. – Cleanfarms photo

(Lethbridge, AB) October 11, 2021 – Cleanfarms is back in southern Alberta holding one-day events in 20 locations from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m., October 25 to 29 to collect unwanted and old agricultural pesticides and obsolete livestock, equine and farm animal medications.

Cleanfarms operates this program so farmers can dispose of these unwanted materials keeping them out of the environment and managed for safe disposal.

Cleanfarms’ “Unwanted Pesticides and Old Livestock/Equine Medications” collection program is funded entirely by its crop input members and through a partnership with the Canadian Animal Health Institute (CAHI). The program rotates into various regions across Canada every three years. Farmers can use the program at no charge to them.

“Farmers wait for this program to come back to their region. We know they are eager to dispose of these old materials safely without risk to the environment. It helps them keep their farms clean and sustainable,” said Cleanfarms Executive Director Barry Friesen.

Since the program began more than 10 years ago, 3.7 million kg of unwanted pesticides and 52,000 kg of obsolete farm animal (cattle, horses, goats, poultry) health medications have been collected across the country.

This year’s collection sites are (in alpha order):

  • BROOKS – Thursday, Oct. 28 – Nutrien Ag Solutions-Brooks, 403-362-2072
  • CARSELAND – Friday, Oct. 29 – Richardson Pioneer, 403-934-9267
  • CARSTAIRS – Friday, Oct. 29 – CORE Ag Inputs-Carstairs, 403-940-0472
  • CASTOR – Thursday, Oct. 28 – Meadowland Ag Chem Ltd., 403-882-2490
  • CLARESHOLM – Tuesday, Oct. 26, UFA Claresholm Farm Store, 403-625-3337
  • DRUMHELLER – Friday, Oct. 29 – Kneehill Soil Services Ltd., 403-823-4600
  • ENCHANT– Wednesday, Oct. 27 – Nutrien Ag Solutions-Enchant, 403-739-2012
  • FOREMOST – Wednesday, Oct. 27, South Country Co-op, 403-867-3200
  • HANNA – Monday, Oct. 25 – Fox Lake Agro Services Ltd., 403-854-2820
  • HIGH RIVER – Monday, Oct. 25 – South Country Co-op, 403-652-4143
  • HUSSAR – Monday, Oct. 25 – Richardson Pioneer-Hussar, 403-787-3931
  • MAGRATH – Friday, Oct. 29 – Richardson Pioneer-Magrath, 403-758-3162
  • MEDICINE HAT – Tuesday, Oct. 26 – Nutrien Ag Solutions-Medicine Hat, 403-526-9499
  • MILK RIVER – Thursday, Oct. 28 – Parrish and Heimbecker, 403-647-3633
  • OLDS – Thursday, Oct. 28 – Richardson Pioneer-Olds, 403-556-6606
  • OYEN – Tuesday, Oct. 26 – UFA Oyen Farm Store, 403-664-3611
  • RED DEER COUNTY – Wednesday, Oct. 27 – Central Alberta Coop Innisfail Agro, 403-227-3466
  • TABER – Monday, Oct. 25 – Taber Home & Farm Centre, 403-223-8948
  • THREE HILLS – Tuesday, Oct. 26 – Kneehill Soil Services Ltd. TH, 403-443-2355
  • VETERAN – Wednesday, Oct. 27 – Richardson Pioneer, 403-575-4600

Events details can be found on Cleanfarms.ca under “what to recycle & where”. COVID precautions will be in place.

Materials accepted in the Cleanfarms program include:

  • old or unwanted agricultural pesticides (identified with a Pest Control Product number on the label)
  • commercial pesticides for golf courses and industrial and commercial pest control products (identified with a Pest Control Product number on the label)
  • medications that are used in rearing animals in an agricultural context or for equine use (identified with a DIN number, serial number or Pest Control Product number on the label)

The program does NOT accept:

  • only partially full and opened jugs of adjuvant and surfactant will be accepted
  • fertilizer, diluted solution, large quantities of unopened product, and treated seed
  • needles/sharps, medicated feed, aerosol containers, premises disinfectants/sanitizers, veterinary clinic waste and medications, ear tags, and aerosols
  • any other household hazardous waste.

This program will return to southern Alberta in 2024. It will return to northern Alberta in 2022.

About Cleanfarms

Cleanfarms is a national not-for-profit organization that delivers industry-funded, end-of-life stewardship programs to the agricultural sector across Canada. It works collaboratively with more than 70 members in the pesticide, fertilizer, seed, ag plastic, and animal health medication sectors, as well as partner agencies, and governments to ensure that Canadian farmers can actively contribute to a healthy environment and a sustainable future.

Cleanfarms has over ten years’ experience identifying and helping to develop North American markets for agricultural plastics through the ongoing development and management of farmer-focused recycling programs. It has staff located in Lethbridge, Alberta; Moose Jaw, Saskatchewan; Etobicoke, Ontario; and St-Bruno, Quebec.

www.cleanfarms.ca

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Media Contact:
Barbara McConnell
media@cleanfarms.ca
P. 613-471-1816
M. 416-452-2373

End-market Study for Used Ag Plastics Helps Cleanfarms Plan Future Farm Recycling Programs

Agricultural plastics such as empty pesticide and fertilizer containers that are recycled through Cleanfarms’ stewardship programs contribute to the organization’s goal to send zero ag plastic waste to landfill. – Cleanfarms photo

Etobicoke, ON (Oct. 1, 2021) – As part of its goal to develop and implement a comprehensive Canada-wide Zero Plastic Waste Strategy for agricultural plastics, Cleanfarms has released the results of an assessment of ag plastics recycling end markets based on existing North American capacity and market pressures such as supply and demand changes.

The study established a benchmark of the scope and capacity available in end markets that could accept certain ag plastics for recycling. Its results will inform potential next steps for the ag plastic recycling programs and pilots that are in place across Canada.

“Our job at Cleanfarms is to build on the successes of the recycling programs that we have in place so that we progress toward our goal of zero plastic waste in Canadian agriculture,” said Cleanfarms Executive Director Barry Friesen. “The availability of viable end markets is key to the longevity and efficiency of recycling programs and our team is committed to ensuring that the materials collected for recycling through Cleanfarms programs can be reprocessed in North America for manufacturing into new products and packaging.”

The study rates end-markets based on their level of stability in late 2019 and throughout 2020 and represents a snapshot of the market situation at the time this report was completed. It serves as a jumping off point for ongoing market analysis by the Cleanfarms team.

Friesen also notes that farmers want reassurance that the material they turn in to recycling programs is, in fact, being made into new products. This study helps address these questions and explains why Cleanfarms recommends a measured approach to program development that is, in part, based on indications that end markets are viable, providing for long-term stability.

The study also outlines the various market forces that influence end market availability. It notes that numerous private sector and government-led initiatives are underway with an aim to improve demand for recycled content which will help drive consistent requirements for recycled ag plastics as feedstocks in manufacturing.

Cleanfarms released the end-market study as a follow-up to a related report, Agricultural Plastic Characterization and Management on Canadian Farms, released in early August. It was a first-ever national waste characterization benchmark report that identified the types and amount of plastic packaging and products used in the agricultural sector by sector and region across Canada.

Combined, these two reports provide key information that will help guide the ag sector as it explores how agricultural plastics packaging and products can contribute to Canada’s emerging circular economy, identify areas for development, and provide a benchmark measure against future success.

Cleanfarms undertook the dual study with the financial support of the Government of Canada through Environment and Climate Change Canada.

About Cleanfarms

Cleanfarms is a national not-for-profit organization that delivers industry-funded, end-of-life stewardship programs to the agricultural sector across Canada. It works collaboratively with more than 70 members in the pesticide, fertilizer, seed, ag plastic and animal health medication sectors, as well as partner agencies, and governments to ensure that Canadian farmers can actively contribute to a healthy environment and a sustainable future.

Cleanfarms has over ten years’ experience identifying and helping to develop North American markets for agricultural plastics through the ongoing development and management of farmer focused recycling programs. It has staff located in Lethbridge, Alberta; Moose Jaw, Saskatchewan; Etobicoke, Ontario; and St-Bruno, Quebec.

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Contact: Barbara McConnell, Cleanfarms Media
416-452-2373
bmcconnell@cleanfarms.ca