British Columbia growers can recycle baler twine, bale wrap, silage bags/bunker covers and grain bags in this pilot project!
British Columbia’s impressive history with leading edge recycling programming and policy combined with the farming community’s commitment to stewardship are just a few of the reasons that farmers have expressed a strong interest in ag plastics recycling.
Cleanfarms and several Regional Districts in Northern BC are exploring how to collect ag plastics like baler twine, silage bags, bunker covers, and bale wrap and grain bags in a way that they can be recycled. Farmers have already contributed to this work by taking part in a local ag waste study which provided preliminary estimates of the volume of ag plastics they use. As the pilots roll out, farmers will likely be asked to separate and store ag plastics before bringing them to a central collection point where they will be stored prior to being shipped to recycling end markets.
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.
FAQs
Why is net wrap often excluded from collections?
Net wrap is a ‘mixed plastic’ which means that it is comprised of different types of plastic resin. This, along with high contamination levels, make it a challenge to recycle.
Why do pilots operate on a three year period?
The planning phase can sometimes take six to twelve months, so multi-year pilots are necessary to generate the data needed.
How can my region get involved?
Call Cleanfarms at 877-622-4460 ext. 2240 to learn more.