Step 1
Review the Stewardship Program Plan which outlines the key changes recommended and how Cleanfarms intends to implement them. We are particularly interested in hearing your views on three questions.
Cleanfarms’ draft Stewardship Program Plan (SPP) for designated ag plastics is now available for comment.
The Cleanfarms’ draft Stewardship Program Plan (SPP) recommends the designation of bale wrap, silage bags and silage bunker covers & tarps (in addition to grain bags and twine) as ‘designated materials’ pursuant to Manitoba’s Packaging and Printed Paper Stewardship Regulation.
Step 2
Send us an email with your input. The deadline to provide comments to Cleanfarms is November 25, 2025.
FAQs
Under the proposed Stewardship Program Plan, will municipalities be compensated for all of the ag plastics they collect?
Under the proposed Stewardship Program Plan (SPP), municipalities will be eligible for compensation for the following: grain bags, twine, bale wrap, silage bags and silage bunker covers & tarps. Under the existing SPP (which expires on March 31, 2026), collection sites were only eligible for compensation for grain bags and twine.
I won’t have time to provide feedback before the November 25, 2025, deadline. Can I still provide my input after that deadline?
Yes. Manitoba Environment and Climate will most likely be conducting its own consultation through EngageMB, which is another opportunity for stakeholders to provide input.
Do obligations on ag plastic stewards/suppliers (like the ones described in the Packaging and Printed Paper Stewardship Regulation) exist outside of Manitoba?
Yes. Consult A snapshot of EPR obligations on ag plastics for more information.
Does the Packaging and Printed Paper Stewardship Regulation obligate farmers to participate in a recycling program?
No. The Packaging and Printed Paper Stewardship Regulation largely places legal obligations on stewards of designated materials to make programs available to farmers.
What steps were taken to develop this Stewardship Program Plan?
In order to develop this Stewardship Program Plan (SPP), Cleanfarms did the following:
- Established the Manitoba Advisory Committee (MAC) – A multi-stakeholder advisory committee was established in Fall 2024 to allow grower groups and associations to provide input into Cleanfarms’ work.
- Conducted an online grower survey – An online survey was fielded in early 2025 that allowed Manitoba growers to provide confidential and anonymous input into existing programs and potential changes.
- Program review – Cleanfarms did a thorough review of its Manitoba-based programs before writing the SPP. This included a review of:
- On-the ground operations, transportation, logistics
- End markets
- Programming in neighbouring jurisdiction
- Review of promotions and education
- Program performance
I’m an ag-retailer and a collection location for empty containers. Do the changes outlined in the proposed SPP impact my role as a collection site?
No. This SPP has no impact on existing Cleanfarms programs for empty pesticide & fertilizer containers and one-way drums/totes or seed, pesticide & inoculant bags.
