Driving new ag-plastic recycling opportunities with BC communities
Author: Enzo Casal, Consultant from Vio Sustainability coordinating Cleanfarms’ BC Ag Plastic Collection program
On a rainy morning in December 2024, I drove from Vancouver to Agassiz to meet with some farmers who received agricultural plastic compactors from Cleanfarms to compress their used bale wrap and silage plastic. My goal was to find out how the compactors fit into farm operations so I could develop a user manual to help bring more farms on board.
I quickly learned that this group of Agassiz farmers was special.
Years prior to my visit, the Agassiz region was selected by the BC government for a pilot to collect ag plastics. After developing the habit of collecting used ag plastics, the Agassiz farmers found out the pilot was going to end so they decided to operate and self-fund a program to keep their items out of the landfill. The Agassiz community ran the grassroots program for a few years, but once their processor stopped accepting materials for recycling, they connected with Cleanfarms to map out possible next steps. Operating a pilot project in partnership with Dairy Farmers of Canada, Cleanfarms was able to support Agassiz farmers by managing program logistics and supplying new ag plastic compactors to the community.
Over a three year partnership, the Agassiz region brought on 16 new compactors, collecting and transporting 60 tones of compressed bale wrap and silage plastic for recycling. The Agassiz initiative has been so successful that the Fraser Valley Regional District (FVRD) and the BC Ministry of Agriculture (MoA) agreed to expand the project into Chilliwack to reach more farmers.
Patricia Ross, FVRD Board Chair, notes, “The FVRD is proud to be involved in the new five-year pilot program of collecting and recycling used agricultural plastic. The collaboration with Cleanfarms is creating an opportunity with practical solutions to help farmers reduce their environmental footprint in the region”. This funding enabled the purchase of an additional 18 compactors destined for the Chilliwack region.
New programs are always more successful with buy-in from the community. Dick Clegg , a retired veterinarian who has served the Chilliwack area dairy farms throughout his career, was integral to launching the Fraser Valley program. Despite describing himself as a bit of a hermit, Dick is very involved with his community and has a strong sense for sustainability. When he heard the Agassiz collection program for bale wrap and silage plastic was coming to Chilliwack, he spread the word to friends and neighbours. Through Dick’s efforts, the first seven compactors made their way to Fraser Valley farms in January 2026 with several new bales made by the end of the first month.
With the support of community members like Dick, we aim to share another 11 compactors and help farmers embrace sustainable solutions for the plastics they use. These early adaptors are integral in helping define how best to operate collection programs. Additionally, agricultural plastics have been highlighted in the BC Ministry of Environment’s plan over the next few years, so the future of ag plastic recycling in BC looks bright.
