Cleanfarms and the Peace River Regional District Renew Successful Agricultural Plastics Recycling Program Offering in British Columbia’s Peace Region

A person with a rolled grain bag

Since 2021, the Peace River Regional District and Cleanfarms pilot program has successfully diverted over 55 tonnes of used grain bags and agricultural baler twine from landfills, demonstrating the strong commitment of local farmers to environmental stewardship.

Dawson Creek, British Columbia – October 28, 2025 – Cleanfarms and the Peace River Regional District (PRRD) are pleased to announce the continuation of their successful program to recycle used agricultural twine and grain bags (large bags used to store crops post-harvest) once they’ve been used on the farm.

Since its launch in 2021, farmers in the region have demonstrated a strong commitment to sustainable waste management, diverting over 55 tonnes of these items from landfills.

“The success of this project is a direct result of the dedication shown by Peace River farmers and our project partners,” said Barry Friesen, Executive Director of Cleanfarms. “Diverting over 55 metric tonnes of grain bags and agricultural twine proves that when industry and local government provide accessible options, farmers step up for environmental stewardship.

“The Peace River Regional District is committed to keeping agricultural plastics out of our landfills. We are excited to renew this successful partnership and look forward to seeing continued high participation from our local producers,” said Leonard Hiebert, Board Chair of the PRRD.”

The PRRD has established eight dedicated collection sites and offers a grain bag roller for rent at a rate of $50 per day. To rent a roller, contact the PRRD at 250-784-3200 or via email at environmental.services@prrd.bc.ca.

To ensure grain bags can be recycled, it’s important for farmers to mechanically roll grain bags prior to drop-off. Baler twine must be placed in clear collection bags that are available at no charge at participating PRRD collection sites. Note: Net wrap is not accepted in this program.

Collection sites are:

  • Bessborough Landfill
  • Buick Creek Transfer Station
  • Cecil Lake Transfer Station
  • Chetwynd Landfill
  • North Peace Regional Landfill
  • Prespatou Transfer Station
  • Rolla Transfer Station
  • Tomslake Transfer Station

This project, along with similar initiatives in the Fraser Valley and Thompson-Nicola regions, highlights the growing momentum for agricultural recycling across the province, reinforcing British Columbia’s commitment to environmental stewardship.

Learn more about the ongoing project on Cleanfarms website and the PRRD website.

 

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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. Its team members are located in British Columbia, Alberta, Saskatchewan, Manitoba, Ontario, Quebec and the Maritimes. Cleanfarms.ca

 

About the Peace River Regional District (PRRD)

The Peace River Regional District (PRRD) is a collaborative regional government for a vast 117,300 square kilometer area in northeast British Columbia, representing over 61,000 residents and includes seven First Nations communities. Guided by an elected Board and strategic plan, the PRRD unites seven municipalities and four electoral areas (B, C, D and E) to deliver essential services such as waste management, fire protection and emergency response. The PRRD champions sustainable economic development across key sectors – including agriculture, forestry, oil and gas and tourism.

 

Media Contact

Margot Beverley, Director, Communications (and media)
beverleym@cleanfarms.ca | 647-557-1801

 

Peace River Regional District (PRRD)

Annette Andrews, Communications Manager
annette.andrews@prrd.bc.ca | 250-784-3200

Cleanfarms Brings Unwanted Pesticides & Old Livestock Medications Collection to Newfoundland, and Adds Recycling for Small Containers This October

A Cleanfarms contractor wearing an orange safety vest, hard hat, mask, and gloves handles large, plastic jugs of unwanted agricultural products being unloaded from the back of a white pickup truck during a collection event.

A contractor working with Cleanfarms helps a farmer safely unload unwanted agricultural pesticides and old livestock/equine medications (UPLM) for safe disposal.

Etobicoke, ON, October 17, 2025 – Cleanfarms is bringing its unwanted pesticide and old livestock/equine medication (UPLM) collection program to Newfoundland from October 21 to 24, with events scheduled in Foxtrap, Lethbridge, Lewisporte, and Deer Lake.

New this year, Cleanfarms will also accept triple-rinsed and bagged empty pesticide and fertilizer containers (23L and under) at these events, giving Newfoundland farmers a convenient new way to recycle.

“This is a significant milestone for our 15th anniversary year,” said Barry Friesen, Executive Director at Cleanfarms. “We’re proud to expand our programs in Newfoundland and bring added convenience to farmers who are committed to managing these materials safely.”

Free collection bags for containers are available through local Pest Management Specialists from Department of Fisheries, Forestry and Agriculture Regional Offices in Pynns Brook and St. John’s, addresses below:

  • Pynn’s Brook Regional Office, 1 Agriculture Road, Off TCH, behind Weight Scales, Pynns Brook NL, A0L 1K0, 709-686-2702
  • St. John’s Provincial Agriculture Building, 204 Brookfield Road 2nd Floor, St. John’s, NL, A1E 0B2, 709-697-5013

Collection events for both materials run from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. in:

  • FOXTRAP – Oct. 21 – Dept. of Transportation and Infrastructure Depot, 0.5 km N of Trans-Canada Hwy / Foxtrap Access Rd. on Incinerator Rd.
  • LETHBRIDGE – Oct. 22 – Dept. of Transportation and Infrastructure Depot, On Route 230, 2.4 km north of Route 233 Turn off
  • LEWISPORTE – Oct. 23 – Dept. of Transportation and Infrastructure Depot, 6 km N of Trans-Canada Hwy / Route 340 Intersection on Route 340
  • DEER LAKE – Oct. 24 – Dept. of Transportation and Infrastructure Depot, 74 Old Bonne Bay Rd.

Drop-off of accepted material is free of charge. We are grateful for the Newfoundland Department of Fisheries, Forestry and Agriculture for their support of programs on the island. These programs are made possible through funding provided by Cleanfarms’ crop protection industry members with the additional support of Canadian Animal Health Institute (CAHI) for the UPLM program.

UPLM Accepted materials include:

  • Unwanted agricultural pesticides (must have a Pest Control Product number)
  • Commercial pesticides used in industrial settings and on golf courses
  • Livestock and equine medications that are used on-farm (must have a DIN, serial number, notification number, or Pest Control Product number)

Materials not accepted include treated seed, needles/sharps, medicated feed, aerosol containers, and domestic pesticides or medications.

For detailed instructions on preparing your materials, please review the separate program pages for unwanted pesticides & old livestock medications at https://cleanfarms.ca/materials/unwanted-pesticides-animal-meds/and small containers at https://cleanfarms.ca/materials/containers-up-to-23l/

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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. Its team members are located in British Columbia, Alberta, Saskatchewan, Manitoba, Ontario, Quebec and the Maritimes.
cleanfarms.ca

Media Contact

Margot Beverley, Director, Communications (and media) | beverleym@cleanfarms.ca | 647-557-1801

Manitoba Farmers: Safely Dispose of Unwanted Pesticides and Old Livestock/Equine Medications This October

Cleanfarms provides free, safe disposal of unwanted agricultural pesticides and old livestock medications. This program runs in Manitoba from October 27 to 31 at 20 locations.

Winnipeg, MB, October 17, 2025 – Manitoba farmers will be able to safely dispose of unwanted agricultural pesticides and obsolete livestock/equine medications through Cleanfarms’ free drop-off program running from October 27 to 31, 2025.

This program is part of Cleanfarms’ national initiative, supported by its crop protection industry members and the Canadian Animal Health Institute (CAHI), to assist farmers in managing agricultural materials responsibly.

“We’re proud to offer Manitoba farmers a free drop-off and a trusted way to dispose of these materials,” said Barry Friesen, Executive Director of Cleanfarms. “This is one of our longest-running programs and continues to provide meaningful environmental benefits across the country.”

Collection events will take place at 20 locations across the province from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. in:

  • ALTONA– Oct. 28 – GJ Chemical Co., Junction of Hwy 30 & Rd. 9 N
  • ARBORG– Oct. 27 – Nutrien Ag Solutions, 55 Main St. S
  • BALDUR– Oct. 28 – Pembina Co-op, 121 2nd St. S
  • BEAUSEJOUR– Oct. 30 – Nutrien Ag Solutions, 73010 Rd. 40 off Hwy 44
  • BIRTLE– Oct. 30 – Twin Valley Co-op, 66 Hwy 83 S
  • BRUNKILD– Oct. 27 – MK Agro, 3062 Rd. 39 NW
  • DAUPHIN– Oct. 28 – Dauphin Co-op Agro, 601 Whitmore Ave. E
  • DELORAINE– Oct. 31 – Nutrien Ag Solutions, Junction of Hwy 3 & Broadway St. S
  • DOUGLAS– Oct. 29 – Heritage Co-op – Brandon Agro Centre, South on Rd. 100 W, 8 miles E of Brandon on Hwy 1
  • GLADSTONE– Oct. 31 – Parrish & Heimbecker, 64084 Rd. 64 W
  • GUNTON– Oct. 28 – Paterson Grain – Crop Inputs, 89113 PTH 7
  • HOLLAND– Oct. 27 – Nutrien Ag Solutions, Junction of Hwy 2 & Centreville Rd.
  • INGLIS– Oct. 29 – Prairie Giants Crop Supply, 2 km E of Hwy 83 on PR 366
  • MEADOWS– Oct. 29 – Ag Advantage Ltd., 68156 Rd. 6 W
  • MINTO– Oct. 30 – Pembina Co-op, 210 S Railway St.
  • PORTAGE LA PRAIRIE– Oct. 30 – Portage AgriSales Portage, 38149 Hwy 1 W
  • RIVERS– Oct. 31 – Redfern Farm Services, 101 2nd Ave.
  • CLAUDE– Oct. 29 – R-Way AG, 38084 PTH 2
  • STEINBACH– Oct. 31 – Clearview Co-op – Steinbach Agro Centre, 33124 Rd. 39 N (Corner of Rd. 39 N & Hwy 12 N), Between Steinbach and Blumenort
  • SWAN RIVER– Oct. 27 – New Era Ag, 520 3rd Ave. S

Accepted materials include:

  • Unwanted agricultural pesticides (must have a Pest Control Product number)
  • Commercial pesticides used in industrial settings and on golf courses
  • Livestock and equine medications that are used on-farm (must have a DIN, serial number, notification number, or Pest Control Product number)

Materials not accepted include treated seed, needles/sharps, medicated feed, aerosol containers, and domestic pesticides or medications.

To find a nearby collection site and learn more about how to prepare materials, visit: https://cleanfarms.ca/materials/unwanted-pesticides-animal-meds/

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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. Its team members are located in British Columbia, Alberta, Saskatchewan, Manitoba, Ontario, Quebec and the Maritimes.
cleanfarms.ca

Media Contact

Margot Beverley, Director, Communications (and media) | beverleym@cleanfarms.ca | 647-557-1801

Cleanfarms and Thompson-Nicola Regional District Launch Agricultural Plastics Recycling Pilot Program

A wide shot of a large, silage plastic in use in a field. This visual represents the agricultural plastic (silage cover) being collected for recycling in the Cleanfarms/TNRD pilot project.

This photo shows agricultural plastic in use on a farm, the type of bulky material being targeted for recycling in the new pilot by Cleanfarms and the Thompson-Nicola Regional District (TNRD).

Kamloops, British Columbia – October 8, 2025 – Cleanfarms and the Thompson-Nicola Regional District (TNRD) are launching a new pilot program to recycle bale wrap and silage bags and covers. This program will help divert agricultural plastics from being landfilled, and will support a more sustainable agricultural sector in this region. Funded by a four-year, $134,500 commitment from the TNRD, the project will run from June 2025 to December 2028. The pilot will provide selected farms and ranches with compactors, making it easier for them to recycle bale wraps and silage bags and covers.

“This pilot is another example that demonstrates how targeted innovation creates effective recycling solutions for the agricultural community in British Columbia,” said Barry Friesen, Executive Director at Cleanfarms.

“We are excited to see the impact of these compactors in the Thompson-Nicola region. This initiative makes it significantly easier and more efficient for our farmers and ranchers to store and transport bulky materials for recycling,” said Adriana Mailloux, TNRD Manager of Solid Waste & Recycling.

Cleanfarms will connect the compacted materials with end markets for recycling. The program is designed to expand to more farms and ranches over the four-year period. Interested producers are invited to contact the TNRD to express their interest.

This pilot program through Cleanfarms complements existing recycling efforts in the Fraser Valley and Peace River regional districts, demonstrating a growing commitment to environmental stewardship across British Columbia. This stewardship also includes unwanted pesticides & livestock/equine medications collection events, which are next available for farmers in the BC Peace Region on October 14–16, 2025.

To learn more about this program, visit the BC Pilot page.

 

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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. Its team members are located in British Columbia, Alberta, Saskatchewan, Manitoba, Ontario, Quebec and the Maritimes. Cleanfarms.ca

 

About the TNRD

The Thompson-Nicola Regional District is located in south-central British Columbia, and includes more than 65 unincorporated communities within 10 Electoral Areas, as well as 11 Member Municipalities and 25 First Nations. As a local government, the TNRD delivers approximately 116 services, which range from being local (such as fire protection or water service), sub-regional (such as solid waste and recycling), or region-wide (such as library service). To learn more, visit: tnrd.ca.

 

Media Contact

Margot Beverley, Director, Communications (and media)
beverleym@cleanfarms.ca | 647-557-1801

 

Adriana Mailloux, Manager of Solid Waste and Recycling
Thompson-Nicola Regional District
amailloux@tnrd.ca | (250) 377-6294