Twine is being collected for recycling in Manitoba and Quebec*.
It is also included in pilot projects in parts of:
- British Columbia
- Saskatchewan
- Prince Edward Island
For details on these pilots, see: Building a Zero Waste Strategy for Agriculture
It is also collected as part of the Alberta Ag Plastic. Recycle It! program in Alberta.
Follow these 3 steps to ensure that your used twine can be accepted and recycled
1
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.
2
Bag
Plastic twine only. Bags of twine mixed with netting, sisal twine, or other materials will be rejected.
Place twine in a clear collection bag and close the bag with twine or a zip tie.
You can pick up free twine collection bags*, with perforated holes that include post-consumer recycled content, from the following locations; please call ahead to confirm availability:
- AB – Pilot twine collection sites and select County/MD offices
- MB – RM office or twine collection sites
- SK – Pilot twine collection sites
*Producers who choose to use their own clear collection bags are asked to poke holes in the bottom to ensure proper drainage.
3
Return
Please contact your local collection site prior to dropping off material if unloading assistance is required, to check hours of operation or if you are unsure if you have prepared it properly.
- AB – many sites 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.
- SK – many sites accept both grain bags and twine. (Note: these materials must be stored and prepared separately.) View the collection site map
What‘s In & What’s Out
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What Becomes What
FAQs
Alberta FAQs
Can I use my seed or bulk tote bags as a collection bag?
Please call your collection site first. Some sites are accepting twine collected this way.
Why is net wrap not accepted?
Recycling markets are not currently available for net wrap.
If you co-mingle/mix net wrap and twine in the same collection bag, the whole bag will need to be disposed of, as it is too costly to separate them for recycling. Please ensure that you only place clean twine in a collection bag for recycling.
How do I recycle my other agricultural plastics?
Some types of ag plastic may be collected at your municipal waste transfer site, landfill, or ag-retailer and then shipped to recycling markets. To find out all the items that are managed by Cleanfarms, please visit our Alberta Program & Events webpage and click on the image of material you wish to recycle. If you don’t see an image of the item you’d like to collect, please email at info@cleanfarms.ca.
The pilot project is led by the multi-stakeholder Agricultural Plastics Recycling Group; funds were granted by the Government of Alberta and are administered by Alberta Beef Producers.
Saskatchewan 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 sites collect grain bags along with twine?
No. Call your local site. 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.
How can an organization/municipality become a grain bag or twine collection site?
Call Cleanfarms at 306-341-4460 to discuss how you can get involved.
How are the twine collections being funded?
This project was 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.
Manitoba FAQs
How is this funded?
Baler twine (along with grain bag) recycling is funded through a government approved industry stewardship plan. Starting in December 2021, an EHF is applied to grain bag and baler twine purchases made in the province. The EHF is $0.33/kg for baler twine and $0.225/kg for grain bags.
Recycling for silage film and bale wrap is funded, in part, through a partnership with the Dairy Farmers of Canada.
