Farmers in Alberta can now recycle grain bags and twine under the Alberta Ag-Plastic. Recycle It! pilot program.
This page provides all the information you need to be able to participate fully in this three-year program.
- Alberta Ag-Plastic. Recycle It! program background
- Additional projects related to the pilot program:
- Other Ag-related waste materials that Alberta farmers can recycle and manage safely
The pilot project is led by the multi-stakeholder Agricultural Plastics Recycling Group; funds were granted by the Government of Alberta and are administered by Alberta Beef Producers.
Cleanfarms welcomes your registration for consideration as a collection site for the program. Please sign up today.
For additional details about this program or collection site locations, contact:
Davin Johnson, Alberta Program Advisor
403-942-6012 | johnsond@cleanfarms.ca
Grain Bags
Follow these 3 steps to ensure that your used grain bags can be accepted and recycled:
Shake –Remove debris; grain bags need to be as clean as possible with care to remove as much organic material (spoilage, dirt, etc.) before or during rolling. Excessively dirty or loose/unrolled bags may be rejected or subject to a landfill tipping fee or additional charges at drop off.- Roll –Prepare grain bags by tightly rolling with a mechanical grain bag roller or baler, and then securing tightly with twine. In Alberta, grain bag rollers and compactors are available for use at some but not all collection sites. Contact your local collection site to inquire if a grain bag roller is available for use.
- Return – Please contact your local pilot collection site prior to dropping off material if unloading assistance is required and if you are unsure if you have prepared it properly. Some, but not all, Alberta collection sites may also accept properly prepared twine (excluding net wrap) for recycling.
What‘s In & What’s Out for Grain Bags
| What’s In | What’s Out |
|---|---|
|
*Some sites that have a compactor may be able to accept unrolled or hand-rolled grain bags. Contact your local collection site for further information. |
Machine Rolled and Secured with Twine
No Hand-Rolled Bags
No Loose Drop-Offs
No Silage Tarps or Other Material
Grain Bag FAQs
Do all Alberta pilot sites collect grain bags along with twine?
There will be some variation between sites – please call ahead to check what your local site collects.
This program is a pilot which means that we are testing out recycling markets and program logistics. Collection sites may collect grain bags only, twine only or both based on the types of farms in the region and/or resources/equipment available.
Why can’t I bring in my bale/silage film or net wrap?
Recycling markets are not currently available for these items.
Is funding available to farmers for grain bag rollers?
Alberta producers can apply for 50% funding towards the purchase of a grain bag roller or a compactor under the Canadian Agricultural Partnership (CAP) program.
Can I bring other types of ag plastics to a collection site?
Call your collection site first. Some sites are diverting other agricultural plastics from landfill. These practices are not separate from this government funded pilot.
Can clubroot or other diseases be picked up at a landfill? How can I minimize the risk of transference?
Pest control officers generally deem this low risk. Best management practices, including cleaning of machinery and tires at the farm level, will help manage this risk.
Is there any assistance to unload once I get to a collection site?
Please call your local collection site before arriving if you require any assistance. You may be required to book an appointment to ensure equipment and help is available. Please make sure you keep this appointment.
Is there any assistance provided for equipment to roll grain bags?
Please contact your local collection site or County/MD office to see if these services are available.
What about other agricultural plastics?
Some plastics are returned to municipal landfills and some to ag-retail for recycling. There are some non-program materials as well. In the future, we hope to address more waste management on farm, outside of the five core programs which Cleanfarms currently offers to farmers in Alberta. For further information, please visit our Materials at a Glance page and click on the material you wish to recycle.
What about bulk bags, seed bags and pesticide bags?
Cleanfarms has started a pilot in Alberta for a return to ag-retail for these materials. Please contact your local ag-retailer to determine if they are one of the pilot sites. Cleanfarms is working to implement a provincial wide program in the future.
Twine
Follow these 3 steps to ensure that your used twine can be accepted and recycled:
Shake – Remove as much debris, snow or ice as possible. Excessively dirty or contaminated twine may be rejected or subject to a landfill tipping fee or additional charges at drop off.- Bag – Place loose twine in a clear collection bag, poke holes in the bottom to drain moisture, and secure bag closed with twine or a zip tie. Please do not knot the twine. Twine collection bags made from 90% PCR content with perforated holes in the bottom are available at no cost to producers and can be obtained from pilot collection sites and select County/MD offices. Contact your County/MD office for availability.
- Return – Please contact your local pilot collection site prior to dropping off material if unloading assistance is required and if you are unsure if you have prepared it properly.
What‘s In & What’s Out for Twine
| What’s In | What’s Out |
|---|---|
|
|
Clean, Dry and Bagged Twine
No Net Wrap
No Nylon Rope or Fibre Twine
No Hay or Other Material
Twine FAQs
Can I use my seed or bulk tote bags as a collection bag?
Yes. Please note that the bag will be inspected to ensure that only twine is brought in to a collection site.
Do all Alberta pilot sites collect grain bags along with twine?
No. Call your local site. This is a pilot program which means that we are testing out recycling markets and program logistics. Collection sites may collect grain bags only, twine only or both based on the types of farms in the region and/or resources/equipment available.
Why can’t I bring in my net wrap?
Recycling markets are not currently available for net wrap
What about other types of ag plastics? Can I bring these to a collection site?
Call your collection site first. Some sites are diverting other agricultural plastics from landfill. These practices are separate from this government funded pilot.
Are there sites not listed on this page that are collecting ag plastics in Alberta?
There is a lot of interest in helping farmers recycle ag plastics. Any establishment can (at their own cost) collect and/or recycle various materials. There are only 20 pilot sites affiliated with, and eligible for limited funding through, the Alberta Ag-Plastic. Recycle It! pilot program at this time. Some pilot sites may be exploring, at their own cost, arrangements with local transfer sites to collect grain bags and twine. Logistics, onsite procedures, associated costs etc. at these transfer sites are separate from the Alberta Ag-Plastic. Recycle It! pilot program. Contact your transfer site for complete details.
View your Alberta Collection Sites in a full screen map.
