- 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*.
- Roll Prepare grain bags by rolling and tying with with twine. Contact your local collection site for information on rolling grain bags.**
- Return – Please contact a collection site before dropping off material at your local collection site.
*Excessively dirty or loose/unrolled bags may be rejected, or subject to a landfill tipping fee or additional charges at drop off.
**Starting in 2019, grain bag rollers should be available for use, free of charge, at most sites. Stay tuned for more details.
Of note: grain bag recycling is available in some MB locations also. Please see the MB Twine, Bale and Silage Wrap page, which also incorporates grain bags, for more information
What‘s In & What’s Out
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FAQs
Why is there an EHF on grain bags?
Grain bag recycling fees started November 1, 2018. The non-refundable EHF is part of a government regulated recycling program to fund the recycling of grain bags used in SK. The fee ($0.25 per kilogram) is applied when farmers purchase or import bags.
How much is the EHF on grain bags purchased in SK?
The non-refundable EHF is based on the weight of the grain bag and is 25 cents per kilogram. Here’s a link to the EHF schedule for different sizes of grain bags, which started on November 1, 2019.
Where does the EHF ‘end up’? Who manages this money?
First Sellers (companies that sell grain bags or import them into SK) are required by law to finance this recycling program and it’s financed via an EHF charged on grain bag sales. First Sellers remit this revenue to Cleanfarms, which operates the recycling program. Additional information about the important administrative aspects of this program are available here.
Why is this program only available in Saskatchewan?
The program was developed in response to a specific, province-based regulation. Other Western Canadian provinces are currently exploring similar programs.
What else do I need to know about EHFs on grain bags?
The EHF reflects the cost to recycle the grain bag. This model, where the cost associated with managing a product at end of life, is applied at the time of purchase is used by other stewardship programs that recycle items like electronics and oil and is a normal practice.
Will a grain bag roller be available at my local collection site?
Collection sites have the option of making a grain bag roller available free of charge to participants or working with another local agency to do so. Cleanfarms provides a financial incentive to collection sites to cover the purchase, insurance and maintenance of this piece of equipment.
Talk to your local collection site to find out more.
Which collection sites offer on-farm rolling and/or pickup of grain bags?
Some sites, RMs and/or watershed groups offer value added services like on-farm pickup, rolling and baling. Call your collection site or 306 341 4460 to learn more. These services are separate from the Cleanfarms program and the incentive that is provided to collection sites.
The EHF helps cover costs associated with site maintenance, shipping, loading and transportation of used grain bags to end markets once they have been dropped off at a collection depot/site.
Why can’t I drop off my twine at a collection site?
Twine is not included in the permanent, industry-funded program that began in 2018.
The transition from government-funded pilots to the (new) permanent, industry-funded model transfers financial responsibilities to industry, or businesses that supply material (i.e. grain bags) into the Saskatchewan market. At this time, the only materials covered by the program (according to the regulation) are grain bags.
View your Saskatchewan grain bag collection sites in a full screen map.
