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 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 – Return to your local pilot collection site. Please call your collection site before dropping off material to confirm hours of operation or if assistance is required.
In Alberta, many sites also accept both grain bags and twine, under the Alberta Ag-Plastic. Recycle It! program. (Note: these materials must be stored and prepared separately.) View the Grain Bag recycling page for details and collection site map
In Saskatchewan, twine recycling has been added as a new pilot program as part of the Building a Zero-Plastic-Waste Strategy for Agriculture Project. This project project is funded in part by the Government of Canada through Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada’s Canadian Agricultural Strategic Priorities Program (CASPP). View the Saskatchewan Twine recycling pilot page.
What‘s In? What’s Out?
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Funds for the pilot project were granted by the Government of Alberta and are administered by Alberta Beef Producers.
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.
The Saskatchewan 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.
View your Alberta Collection Sites in a full screen map.
