Becoming a Cleanfarms/AgriRÉCUP member is the most efficient means to meet the regulatory obligations.
Obligated suppliers (referred to as enterprises in the Regulation) can meet their obligations by becoming a Cleanfarms/AgriRÉCUP member.
Suppliers wishing to fulfill their obligations through Cleanfarms/AgriRÉCUP must register and adhere to financial and administrative rules. Please see our membership agreement.
Work with Cleanfarms/AgriRÉCUP to meet the obligations related to the ‘’Regulation respecting the recovery and reclamation of products by enterprises’’
Here is how Cleanfarms/AgriRÉCUP works with the suppliers (enterprises) to develop programs for farmers that meet the regulatory requirements:
- Enterprises sign an agreement with Cleanfarms/AgriRÉCUP to become Members.
- Cleanfarms/AgriRÉCUP develops and manages programs on behalf of its members.
- Enterprises finance the programs. To do so, they submit confidential data to Cleanfarms/ AgriRÉCUP on a quarterly or annual basis (example: the volume of products and packaging sold in Quebec).
- Cleanfarms/AgriRÉCUP establishes an ecofee per bag, per container, or by unit, in order to fairly allocate the costs of the programs amongst enterprises
- The enterprises pay the ecofee to Cleanfarms/AgriRÉCUP to finance the programs.
- Cleanfarms/AgriRÉCUP manages all reporting and financial requirements.
This is what is involved with the day-to-day operations of programs:
- Collection site selection, training and support.
- Transport and logistics.
- Sourcing and selection of end markets, managing all related health, safety and environmental standards
- Research & development.
- Financial management including the handling of confidential information.
- Promotion and education (farmers, collections site personnel and other stakeholders).
- Government reporting.
- Financial and physical audits.
Cleanfarms manages all of these activities on behalf of its members.
FAQs
How do I determine if my business is subject to this Regulation?
Review Section 2 of the Regulation to determine whether it applies to your business. Exemptions are noted in Section 4.
Cleanfarms/AgriRÉCUP also recommends that businesses talk to their supply networks to better understand how they intend to manage their obligations.
How do my customers access Cleanfarms’ recycling programs?
Information regarding Cleanfarms/AgriRÉCUP’s programs
Farmers can bring back their hay and silage plastics and other types of containers/bags to participating collection sites – see collection site map.
Information for additional items like feed, peat moss and wood chips bag will be available shortly. Check our website soon and do not hesitate to consult our updates or to contact your grower group.
I am already a Cleanfarms/AgriRÉCUP member. What should I do now?
Complete and submit the RECYC-QUÉBEC’s Information and notice of intent.
Cleanfarms/AgriRÉCUP will be updating members about next steps through its regular members communication channels.
Are there different ways (other than working with an OGR) that an enterprise can meet its regulatory obligations?
Enterprises, businesses that supply farmers with a variety of products used on farms, can meet their obligations in three ways. Enterprises can:
- implement an individual program
- join a group of enterprises implementing a common program,
- become a member of an organization (or Organisme de Gestion Reconnu (OGR)) accredited by Recyc-Québec that operates programs on behalf of enterprises.
Becoming a member of an organization accredited by Recyc-Québec is the most efficient way to meet these regulatory obligations.
How does Cleanfarms/AgriRÉCUP calculate ecofees?
Cleanfarms examines each ag plastic that is identified in the regulation.
For each ag plastic, Cleanfarms estimates an annual cost to manage a program to recover this material. The annual cost is then divided by the estimated volume of each material supplied into the market.
Depending on the type of plastic, the ecofee is calculated by kilogram or by unit. In general, ecofees are reviewed annually and published in September.
Members report and pay ecofees to Cleanfarms/AgriRÉCUP annually or quarterly.
How can a supplier (enterprise) recoup ecofees?
Enterprises can recoup ecofees by incorporating them in the cost of the product. The Regulation does not allow a company to recoup the ecofee by billing it separately to the consumers.
Are the ecofees subject to GST and/or to PST?
Ecofees are subject to the same applicable sales taxes that are applicable to the product the ecofees are applied to.
For example, GST and/or QST does not apply to an ecofee on Product A if Product A is not subject to GST and/or QST. GST and/or QST does apply to an ecofee on Product B if Product B is subject to GST and/or QST.
Enterprises should seek professional tax advice to ensure applicable taxes are correctly applied.
How can I confirm that Cleanfarms/AgriRÉCUP is the OGR for agricultural plastics?
RECYC-QUÉBEC is responsible for recognizing management organizations or OGRs. This web page identifies the OGRs that have been recognized by RECYC-QUÉBEC. Scroll to the bottom for a listing.
The information below is organized according to the sub-categories in the Regulation. Review “SECTION 7’’ of the Regulation to identify the sub-category that your products or packaging belong to. Then review the information below.
Plastics used in hay and silage production or storage: Sub-category 1:
Silage bags, silage bunker covers and silage tarps
- Collection points: Municipal and ag-retail locations
- Key dates for enterprises:
- July 1, 2023: Reporting requirements begin
- October 2023: First quarterly report (July 1, 2023 to September 30, 2023) due
- October 1, 2023: Ecofee begins
- January 2024: First ecofee payment due to Cleanfarms/AgriRÉCUP for the October 1, 2023 to December 31, 2023 reporting period
- Reporting and payment schedule: Quarterly
- Ecofee fee: $0.50/kg; must be integrated into the cost of the product
Information for farmers: Collection site map | webpage
Bale Wrap
Twine
Netting/Netwrap
Bags: Subcategory 2
Bags (seed, pesticide, inoculant and fertilizer)
- Collection points: Ag-retail locations
- Key dates for enterprises:
- July 1, 2023: Reporting requirements begin (as per the regulation)
- Winter 2024: Reporting takes place in the first quarter based on January 1, 2023 – December 31, 2023 sales data
- 2024 ecofees apply to all 2023 sales
- Reporting frequency: Annually
Ecofee: Seed, pesticide and inoculant bags
| Size | 2024 Ecofee |
| Less than 30 kg | $0.28 |
| 31 to 500 kg | $1.46 |
| ≥ 501 kg | $2.92 |
Ecofee: fertilizer bags
| Size | 2024 Ecofee |
| Less than 30 kg | $0.28 |
| 31 to 500 kg | $1.46 |
| ≥ 501 kg | $2.92 |
Feed bags including supplements like medications, minerals and others
Bags (peat moss)
Bags (wood chips)
Containers, Drums & Totes: Subcategory 3
Pesticide & Fertilizer Containers: Jugs, Drums & Totes
- Collection points: Ag-retail locations
- Key dates for enterprises:
- July 1, 2023: Reporting requirements begin (as per the regulation)
- Winter 2024: Reporting takes place in the first quarter based on January 1, 2023 – December 31, 2023 sales data
- 2024 ecofees apply to all 2023 sales
- Reporting frequency: Annually
Ecofee for containers (pesticides and fertilizers)
| Size | 2024 Ecofees |
| ≤ 1 L | $0.083 |
| 1.01-23L | $0.83 |
| 23.1 – 225L | $21.97 |
| 225.1 – 550L | $31.17 |
| > 550 L | $43.61 |
Obsolete pesticides and treated seeds: Sub-category 7
Obsolete pesticides and treated seeds
- Collection sites: Select collection sites at ag product retailers in Fall 2023 and Fall 2024.
- Key dates for enterprises:
- July 1, 2023: Reporting requirements begin (as per the regulation)
- Winter 2024: Reporting takes place in the first quarter based on January 1, 2023 – December 31, 2023 sales data
- 2024 ecofees apply to all 2023 sales
- Reporting frequency: Annually
Ecofees
| Item | Volume | 2024 Ecofee |
| Pesticide container (plastic) | ≤ 1 L | $0.0095 |
| 1.01-23L | $0.095 | |
| Pesticide container (bulk) | All sizes > 23L | $0.095 per 10 L |
| Pesticide bag | ≤ 1 kg | $ 0.0095 |
| 1 to 30 kg | $0.095 | |
| All sizes > 30 kg | $0.095 per 10 kg |
Information for farmers: Collection site map | webpage
Ecofee for treated seed: Available soon
