Agricultural plastic waste is moving to a new phase
A new provincial regulation, put in place in 2022, means new programs are in place or under development to manage a variety of used agricultural plastics. These programs are funded through ecofees. Starting October 1, 2023, suppliers may make note of an ecofee (which is used to cover the costs of collecting/recycling ag plastics) on their invoices.
Collection programs available in Quebec
Silage and hay plastics
Used for protecting and baling silage or hay: silage sheeting, bale wrap, net wrap and twine
Bags
Bags for various agricultural purposes: seeds, pesticides, fertilizers, feed, wood shavings/bedding, peat moss, etc.
Containers
Containers for agricultural products:
jugs <23L, large totes and drums
Unwanted/outdated pesticides and treated seed
Unwanted and obsolete pesticides
Please note that all livestock medications will be recovered but are not part of the RRVPE.
Maple tubing
Tubing used for maple sugaring
Farmers already recycle some of these materials, namely empty pesticide and fertilizer containers and totes & drums along with seed, pesticide and fertilizer bags. Pilot projects have also been in place for plastics used in hay and silage production and storage and maple syrup tubing. These pilots are now transitioning to permanent programs. Collection programs for feed, peat moss and wood chip/shavings bags will be available in January 2024. The majority of materials collected are sent to recycling end markets, while some are sent for energy recovery.
Farmers in every region of Quebec will soon have access to collection sites.
Ecofees
In accordance with the Regulation respecting the recovery and reclamation of products by enterprises (RRVPE), suppliers of agricultural plastics must finance recovery and reclamation programs in Quebec. As of October 1, an ecofee will be included in the price of certain agricultural plastics. The ecofees finance the implementation of best recycling and collection practices in Quebec by Cleanfarms, which is recognized in Quebec, as AgriRÉCUP.
According to government requirements, the ecofee cannot be itemized separately from a product on invoices or catalogues. Ecofees vary depending on the type of plastic. A note may be included on the invoice.
FAQs
Are products subject to ecofees REALLY recycled, or will I find out later that they’re going to a landfill?
Many of these products are already recycled in a variety of ways, right here in Quebec. Here are just a few examples of recycled products.
| Plastic jugs >23L | Agricultural drains |
| Silage plastic | Waste or collection bags |
| Maple tubing | Car mats |
When no other solution is possible, certain materials are sent for high temperature incineration. Technologies and markets are rapidly evolving. Find out what happens to the materials recovered through Cleanfarms programs
Certain plastics are very bulky! How am I supposed to manage them?
Learn more about on-farm agricultural plastic compactors (Français) to help manage bulky material. There is several models available.
Why are do ecofees vary so much?
The ecofee reflects the cost to manage the product it is applied to and some products are recycled or managed quite differently.
Aren’t ecofees just another tax?
Ecofees are neither a fee nor a refundable deposit. Ecofees for each product are based on the actual cost of recycling the materials contained in the product.
Why is the farmer contributing to R&D for recycling technology through the ecofee?
The ecofee is helping to partially fund R&D to ensure that ag plastics can be recycled and kept out of landfill contributing to a zero waste system. Where systems exist, the ecofee funds systems management for items farmers purchase and use. Where systems are developing, the ecofee contributes to research and development (R&D) which is a regulatory requirement of the RRVPE.
At the same time, improving recycling/processing technologies is the only viable approach to developing long-term, reliable recycling end markets.
Once the R&D is in place and end markets improve, ecofees will be adjusted accordingly.
Farmers are the key to the success of these programs
It is up to the agricultural producers to properly clean and prepare the materials they send for recycling. Recovered materials that are too dirty or incorrectly prepared may be rejected by recyclers, resulting in higher program costs and, consequently, higher ecofees.
Find out how to clean and prepare:
