The Planning Behind a Pilot Program
Ever wonder how an ag plastics pilot project gets off the ground? This post addresses some of the behind the scenes work that is involved. If this topic is of interest to you, we invite you to join our regional Ag Plastics Insight Loops to stay informed, share ideas, and help shape the future of agricultural plastics recycling in your area.
Pilot programs are key to expanding recycling solutions for agricultural plastics. They allow us to test new collection and processing methods, evaluate program costs, and gather valuable feedback from farmers and industry partners like recyclers. Often, the less visible part of a pilot is the extensive planning and coordination that happens long before a farmer drops off used materials, like bale wrap, to a collection site.
Developing a recycling pilot often takes 12 to 18 months. From securing funding to coordinating logistics to report writing, each step requires detailed planning to ensure that pilots are both practical and impactful.
As simple as it sounds, at Cleanfarms, our work often begins with conversations. Rural communities, farmers and businesses frequently reach out for support in managing plastics. We often recommend that a rural municipality bring this topic forward to their town/municipal council and or grower group to evaluate local interest and engagement. Strong community interest and a good understanding of the needs and capacity of a region is critical to designing a pilot that works.
Once we identify a promising opportunity, along with interested stakeholders, we begin the search for funding. Cleanfarms core programs (e.g., empty pesticide and fertilizer container recycling program or our Quebec-based programs for ag plastics) are financed by our members (companies that supply farmers with products). Other funding sources such as government grants and partnerships (for example our work with Dairy Farmers of Canada) are also vital for pilots. This process involves finding the right funding opportunities, preparing proposals, and negotiating agreements.
Once funding is in place, pilot projects take time to gain momentum. It often takes a full year of operations before enough material is collected to even begin to evaluate pilot performance. During this launch phase, we start the process of sourcing local contractors to assist with the specialized loading and transportation that goes along with ag plastic collections. We also get in touch with participating farmers and collection sites as constant feedback provides key insight into what is needed for long-term success.
While this is a significant effort, it pays off because pilots provide the evidence and experience needed to scale up programs across a province or the country. An excellent is the pilot completed with Northern Regional Districts in British Columbia, which led to a larger scale project in Fraser Valley. The pilot stage is essential in building up a circular economy for agriculture.
If you’re interested in staying informed, sharing your ideas, or contributing to new program development, we encourage you to join the Ag Plastics Insight Loop for your region. These regional forums in Ontario, British Columbia and the Maritimes are designed to share updates on regional ag plastics recycling developments, gather local knowledge, and bring more voices into the conversation about agricultural plastics recycling in Canada.
