Environment Minister Ken Cheveldayoff recently announced funding of $75,000 to CleanFARMS Inc. to support the work necessary to develop an industry-led program for the recycling of agricultural plastics. These materials include such items as plastic grain bags, plastic twine, silage bags and bale wrap.
"As the agricultural industry grows in Saskatchewan, we see a growing need to expand recycling programs to incorporate agricultural plastics," Cheveldayoff said. "The pilot program funded by the ministry of Agriculture and operated by the Provincial Council of Agriculture Development and Diversification Boards has seen approximately 83,300 kilograms of plastic recycled alone in the past two years. With the support of Saskatchewan producers, I am confident that expanding this program will further protect our environment."
Currently, agricultural producers have very few options available to properly handle and dispose of these plastic materials. The move toward this new program supports the province's Plan for Growth in the agricultural sector by looking for innovative ways to reduce the pressure on local infrastructure.
The Saskatchewan Agricultural Stewardship Council (SASC) made up of representatives from the agricultural industry and formed under the CleanFARMS umbrella has been tasked to develop and implement an agricultural plastics recycling program.
"The agricultural industry is pleased to be working with the Government of Saskatchewan and farmers in the province to develop an environmentally-responsible and cost-effective program to recycle agricultural plastics," SASC Chair Trevor Carlson said.
A pilot program in certain areas of the province has been underway since 2011, which has been funded by government through the Ministry of Agriculture and administered by the Provincial Council of Agriculture Development and Diversification Boards.
"A provincial agricultural plastics recycling program will offer consistent access to recycling and further divert recyclables from municipal landfills," Cheveldayoff said. "Municipalities that operate rural landfills are looking for opportunities to divert materials in order to extend the life of their landfills and measures like a provincial agricultural plastics recycling program can aid those efforts as well."
CleanFARMS is a non-profit industry stewardship organization committed to environmental responsibility through the proper management of agricultural waste.
