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By Justin Goulet

Agricultural recycling program extended until end of 2025

May 2, 2024 | 12:30 PM

LETHBRIDGE, AB – A recycling program for Alberta farmers has been extended.

The ‘Alberta Ag Plastic. Recycle It!’ pilot program is operated by nonprofit Cleanfarms. It allows farmers to recycle their grain bags and twine. This marks the second extension of the program following its launch in October 2019.

Officials say since its inception, it has collected and kept nearly 3.6 million kilograms of recyclable agricultural plastic out of landfills, including:

• 3,105,018 kilograms of grain bags, which when laid flat, is enough to cover an area of roughly 1,359 hectares.
• 462,590 kilograms of twine, which Cleanfarms says is enough to bale about 1.27 million large square bales of hay.

Cleanfarms says in addition to keeping these materials out of landfills, they go on to productive uses in the circular economy, where they provide raw materials for manufacturing into new goods, many of which are used on farms across the province.

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The project is also a component to the industry’s commitment to sustainability.

“When we can roll up a few grain bags and take them to a collection site for recycling, it just makes sense,” says Dean Hubbard, a grain farmer near Claresholm.

“Especially when I know they’re not going to blow around on my property and they’ll be turned into new things that we can use. Of course I’ll do it.”

Recycled grain bags can be turned into pellets, which then get converted into products like silage plastic, dimensional lumber and agricultural fence posts that can be used on farms. Cleanfarms says in the not-so-distant future, it expects to see them return as new grain bags. Used twine is also pelletized and manufactured into products like greenhouse pots and trays, composite decking, car parts and more, all within North America.

The pilot is led by the Agricultural Plastics Recycling Group, with funds granted by the Government of Alberta and administered by Alberta Beef Producers. The long-term goal is to make the project a permanent staple in the industry.

“The entire agricultural industry is coming together to create sustainable solutions,” says Barry Friesen, Executive Director of Cleanfarms.

“From farmers to collection sites, partners like APRG, Cleanfarms members, and recyclers, everyone is playing a vital role. Together, we’re building a circular system we can all rely on, not just for now, but for generations to come.”

The extension of the pilot to December 31, 2025 is thanks in part to an additional $400,000 in funding from the Ministry of Agriculture and Irrigation.

READ MORE: Lethbridge News Now.

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