This release was issued under a previous government.

The Alberta Beef Producers will use the $750,000 grant to coordinate the recycling program on behalf of the Agricultural Plastics Recycling Group – 20 stakeholder organizations ranging from commodity associations and rural municipalities to retailers.

The Alberta Agricultural Plastics Recycling Pilot Program is aimed at:

  • recycling grain bags and twine
  • researching markets for other agricultural plastics ‎not included in the pilot program
  • conducting a waste characterization study to determine agricultural plastic volumes
  • surveying producers to get feedback
  • educating producers on the program and how to recycle their plastics

“Making agriculture more efficient and environmentally sustainable is a win for everyone. Not only are we tackling the longstanding problem of wasted twine and agricultural plastics, we’re working with partners to find policy solutions that really work. This pilot program is shaping a move toward an environmentally sustainable future for our province.”

Oneil Carlier, Minister of Agriculture and Forestry

The pilot will determine the financials, logistics and operations of recycling agricultural plastics that could help inform a future policy solution to the issue.

“The Alberta government's commitment to the pilot program is a welcome announcement. The APRG will explore an on-the-ground assessment of ag plastics on the provincial landscape to support the environmentally sound end use of these materials.”

Al Kemmere, chairman, Agricultural Plastics Recycling Group

"We would like to thank the Alberta government for supporting the agricultural industry in our efforts to recycle our waste plastics. We are excited to start working out the details of the program and will send more information to producers as soon as possible."

Assar Grinde, director, Alberta Beef Producers, and executive member, Agricultural Plastics Recycling Group

“There is strong support for this program from the agriculture sectors in Alberta. We look forward to the rollout of this much-needed initiative and appreciate the speedy response and support from the Alberta government.”

Neil Gorda, director, Region Four, Alberta Barley, and executive member, Agricultural Plastics Recycling Group

Quick facts

  • A Government of Alberta study in 2012 revealed that around 50 per cent of agricultural producers were burning their agricultural plastics on-farm. Sending plastics to a landfill was also a common method of disposing of agricultural plastics.
  • Saskatchewan ran a pilot program from 2011 to 2017, and is now operating the first regulated recycling program in Canada for grain bags. Alberta’s pilot program includes both grain bags and twine.