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By Connor Gunn

Canadian farmers focusing on waste reduction through plant-based plastics

Mar 22, 2021 | 12:33 PM

TORONTO, ON– The Canadian Government announced new projects towards the growth of Canada’s “bioeconomy.”

Minister of Agriculture and Agri-Food, Marie-Claude Bibeau, announced funding of more than $4.5 million for five new projects that will look to improve plastic waste management.

The projects will also advance on-farm sustainability bioplastics research.

This will focus on opportunities through plant-based plastics in farming, managing on-farm plastic waste, is helping to build a healthier economy and environment.

Cleanfarms, an organization that looks to grow bioecenomy is receiving a large amount of money through these projects.

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“Cleanfarms will receive up to $1.1 million through the Canadian Agricultural Strategic Priorities Program to develop a strategy to responsibly manage the estimated 60,000 tonnes of plastic waste generated on Canadian farms every year.”

“Their project will increase farmer access to recycling programs and explore ways to deliver long-term, permanent programs that will help Canadian farmers continue to improve the sustainability of their operations,” the release reads.

The government says other recipients include:

• EcoEnviro Labs Inc., which will receive up to $1 million through Innovative Solutions Canada to advance testing of a new organic bioplastic mulch made from poultry feathers. This could serve as a lower-waste, fully biodegradable, and compostable way to produce mulch needed in Canada’s agriculture sector.
• Titan Clean Energy Projects Corp., which will receive up to $1 million through Innovative Solutions Canada to test a food-grade quality bioplastic, ideal for fruit or prepared vegetable containers, that biodegrades more quickly and will result in less landfill and more sustainable options for grocery stores and shoppers.
• TerraVerdae Bioworks Inc., which will receive up to $1 million through the Agricultural Clean Technology Program to develop a new generation of biodegradable bioplastic film and injection molded products that target agriculture applications such as mulch film and seed trays. The project intends to displace conventional petroleum-based agricultural plastics.
• Red Leaf Pulp Ltd., which will receive up to $495,000 through the Agricultural Clean Technology Program to support research and product trials for a straw pulp bio-polymer for use within the wood and pulp industry, and in the production of low carbon fuels and renewable natural gas. The project intends to displace plastic and Styrofoam packaging.

Bibeau says these investments are vital for Canadian farmers.

“Canada’s agricultural sector continues to develop innovative tools and approaches to ensure their operations are sustainable. Today’s funding will support farmers looking for ways to better manage their plastic waste and help advance the necessary work to turn crop residues and other agricultural by-products into renewable energy. This is a win-win for our hardworking farmers, the environment, and Canada’s bioeconomy.”