A year of partnerships to drive sustainability in Canadian agriculture

Once used, farmers prepare materials for recycling and drop them off at Cleanfarms collection sites as part of the process of expanding sustainable management solutions for agricultural waste.

ETOBICOKE, ON (May 30, 2024) – Cleanfarms has posted its 2023 annual report, highlighting the new strategic direction of Cleanfarms for Canadian farmers to manage agricultural plastic products and packaging through recycling and safe disposal.

This year’s report sheds light on the partnerships and industry collaboration that provide opportunities for farmers and producers to be even more sustainable. Beyond the well-established collection system for pesticide and fertilizer containers and seed bags, new Extended Producer Responsibility Programs (EPR) began in Quebec and Prince Edward Island.

New EPR programs in Quebec targeted materials including maple tubing, feed bags, peat moss and animal bedding bags, twine and plastic films for silage and hay. In Prince Edward Island, new programs targeted silage wrap, twine and fertilizer bags.

“The important EPR updates in Quebec and PEI are an indication of the need for more sustainable solutions for agricultural suppliers and Canadian farmers, who care about doing the right thing with their ag waste,” said Cleanfarms Executive Director, Barry Friesen. “We’re proud to be able to provide those solutions and will continue expanding our programs to meet the needs of the industry and the individuals in it.”

“As new programs roll out, we are committed to continue working together with the entire ag value chain to ensure the programs are as cost effective, efficient, and accessible for farmers as possible,” Friesen explained. “The vision that was established by Cleanfarms board members in 2023 provides guidance with a solid plan to build conditions for success and help develop a circular economy in agriculture over the years to come.”

A circular economy for agricultural plastics is another driver for Cleanfarms operations, with a goal to ensure that plastics collected through Cleanfarms operations can be recycled into new, useful products on Canadian farms, rather than ending up in landfills or the environment.

“In 2023, our recycling programs not only reduced what went to landfill, but we also prevented over 9 million kilograms of carbon dioxide equivalent emissions from entering the atmosphere. Through Cleanfarms programs, the entire agricultural industry can make a tangible contribution to sustainability– it all adds up,” said Friesen.

In the 2023 annual report, Cleanfarms highlighted the total collection volumes of agricultural materials since the inception of the programs (rounded):

  • Plastic pesticide and fertilizer containers 23L and smaller – 56.3 million kg
  • Non-refillable bulk pesticide and fertilizer drums and totes – 482,000 units
  • Seed and pesticide bags – 3.82 million kg
  • Unwanted old pesticides – 4.53 million kg
  • Old, obsolete livestock/equine medications – 74,500 kg
  • Grain bags, agricultural film and baler twine plastic – 16.9 million kg
  • Maple tubing (in Quebec only) – 914,000 kg

Cleanfarms collects ag waste materials through valued partnerships with more than 1,500 recycling collection sites across Canada.

About Cleanfarms

Cleanfarms is an agricultural industry stewardship organization that contributes to a healthier environment and a sustainable future by recovering and recycling agricultural and related industry plastics, packaging and products. It is funded by its members in the crop protection, seed, fertilizer, animal health medication, peat moss, animal bedding, feed, ag plastics, and maple tubing industries. It has staff located in Lethbridge, Alberta; Moose Jaw, Saskatchewan; Winnipeg, Manitoba; Etobicoke, Ontario; and St-Bruno, Quebec.

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Cleanfarms.ca

Contact: Margot Beverley | 705-796-8829 | beverleym@cleanfarms.ca

Alberta Ag Plastic. Recycle It! Program Extended Until December 2025!

Once used in the field to store grains, farmers, empty and roll grain bags, then bring them to collection sites where they are picked up and transported for recycling into new products

Lethbridge, Alberta – May 1, 2024 – Alberta farmers can continue to recycle their grain bags and twine thanks to a recent extension of the successful Alberta Ag Plastic. Recycle It! pilot program. Cleanfarms, the non-profit organization operating the program, is excited to announce that it will continue until the end of 2025.

This marks the second extension of the program, which launched in October 2019. Since its inception, this program has collected nearly 3.6 million kilograms (kg) of recyclable agricultural plastic, including:

  • 3,105,018 kg of grain bags, when laid flat, is enough to cover an area of approximately 1,359 hectares; and,
  • 462,590 kg of twine, which is enough to bale about 1.27 million large square bales of hay.

This means that these plastics won’t spend the rest of their days filling up Alberta landfills, and instead go on to productive uses in the circular economy, where they provide raw materials for manufacturing into new goods, many of which are used back on Alberta farms.

Twine that farmers bring to collection sites in bags is baled and sent to processors in bales, ready for recycling

But it’s not just about numbers. For farmers, recycling used ag plastic waste is a key component of their commitment to sustainability in their agricultural practices. “When we can roll up a few grain bags and take them to a collection site for recycling, it just makes sense,” says Dean Hubbard, a grain farmer near Claresholm, AB, “Especially when I know they’re not going to blow around on my property and they’ll be turned into new things that we can use. Of course I’ll do it.”

Farmers Are Keen to Contribute to the Recycling Process

Farmers in Alberta play a vital role in preparing materials for recycling and often make the difference between whether a grain bag or piece of twine can be recycled or is sent to a landfill. By shaking the snow or clumps of hay off used twine before stuffing it in a bag or shaking the debris off a grain bag before rolling it, they ensure that these materials can be recycled and used as raw materials in manufacturing new products.

Recycled grain bags are turned into pellets, mostly here in Canada, which then get turned into products like silage plastic, dimensional lumber and agricultural fence posts that can be used on the farm. In the not-too-distant future, we expect to see them reemerge as new grain bags. Used twine is also pelletized and manufactured into items like greenhouse pots and trays, composite decking, car parts and more – all within North America.

“The entire agricultural industry is coming together to create sustainable solutions,” says Barry Friesen, Executive Director of Cleanfarms. “From farmers to collection sites, partners like APRG, Cleanfarms members, and recyclers, everyone is playing a vital role. Together, we’re building a circular system we can all rely on, not just for now, but for generations to come.”

Continued Provincial Commitment to Program Expansion and Increased Funding

This pilot project is led by the multi-stakeholder Agricultural Plastics Recycling Group. Funds for the pilot were granted by the Government of Alberta and are administered by Alberta Beef Producers. The long-term goal is to evolve the pilot into a permanent program.

The program’s ongoing success is thanks to continued support from Alberta’s Ministry of Agriculture and Irrigation. In August 2023, the Ministry committed an additional $400,000 in funding and extended the program’s term to December 31, 2025.

Collection Network Grows

Through the development of this program, the network has grown to encompass 49 collection partners, comprising 159 individual collection sites that collect either grain bags or twine, or both.

Most recently, the program has expanded to welcome two new collection partners: Birch Hills County and Lac Ste. Anne County. These partnerships have added two new grain bag and twine collection sites and nine new twine-only collection sites, making it even easier for farmers to participate in the program.

“Alberta farmers have embraced this program and we’re proud to work with Cleanfarms to offer it to them,” says Assar Grinde, Chair of APRG. “As we expand the collection network, we aim to increase the collection of twine and expect used grain bags to keep rolling in. We are grateful for the program’s ongoing success and everybody’s participation!”

Cleanfarms is committed to working with Alberta farmers and the government to ensure the long-term success of this important initiative.

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Cleanfarms.ca

Contact: Brian Naud | 514-556-3523| naudb@cleanfarms.ca