Supporting On-Farm Sustainability Through Ag Plastics Recycling
Sustainability continues to be a priority for many Canadian dairy farmers, who are working towards improvements on how ag plastics are managed on-farm. This includes ensuring that the plastics used to store feed, such as bale wrap, silage bags, and bunker covers or tarps, are properly managed at the end of their life cycle.
Since launching in Fall 2021, the partnership between Dairy Farmers of Canada (DFC) and Cleanfarms has expanded access to agricultural plastics recycling across the country.
In 2024, Dairy Farmers of Canada supported programs contributed to the diversion of 110,000 kg of bale wrap, silage bags and bunker covers: an increase of 104% from the previous year.
This progress highlights how many dairy farms are steadily incorporating recycling into their regular sustainability practices.
In 2025, the renewed partnership continues to provide access to collection sites in key agricultural regions and supporting farmers with practical tools for storing, handling, and preparing used plastics for recycling. These actions contribute to how materials move through the recycling chain, making the system more efficient and effective for farmers who participate.
The Canadian Way
When we buy local foods, we support Canadian farmers and communities from coast to coast. Canadian dairy is trusted because it meets some of the highest standards in the world. For instance, Canadian milk must be free of antibiotic residue and is produced without the use of artificial growth hormones.
On top of being heavily regulated, Canadian dairy farmers are required to follow proAction, a national on-farm assurance program that includes over 82 standards related to the care and health of animals, milk quality, food safety and environmental stewardship. Farms in Canada are inspected and audited regularly to ensure compliance, giving Canadians confidence in the milk, cheese, yogurt, and other Canadian dairy products they enjoy every day.
Watch the video below to see how one Canadian dairy farmer integrates agricultural plastics recycling into daily operations, and why it matters for the future of farming.
More farmer stories will be shared as this initiative grows. Stay tuned.
Recycling opportunities made possible through this partnership
- In the District of Kent, BC dairy farmers consolidated silage plastics to be sent for recycling at no charge, laying the groundwork for a 5-year regional program throughout the Fraser Valley.
- In Southern Manitoba, farmers can recycle clean, dry bale wrap and silage plastics at regional collection sites.
- Dairy farmers across Canada had the opportunity to test and provide feedback on farm compactors. View project summaries from:
- Manitoba project summary – April 2022
- Prince Edward Island – April 2022
Learn more about how these compactors can help compress ag plastics, reduce contamination and facilitate transportation to collection sites by watching the video below:
For more information
Please email Kim Timmer.
Meet the Farmers Behind Your Canadian Milk
