By Dori Modney with files and graphics from Cleanfarms

Whether growing a crop or recycling, farmers are greening the land

May 7, 2021 | 10:33 AM

LETHBRIDGE, AB. — Earth week was April 19 to the 25 but, that doesn’t mean we only look after the environment for that one week.

That’s particularly true for Canadian farmers. Cleanfarms, the national stewardship organization that recovers agricultural plastic waste for recycling, is issuing a reminder that the the annual agricultural plastic jug recycling program is starting again.

The Cleanfarms program for empty containers runs from May to October coast to coast. During that time, more than 1,100 collection locations work with Cleanfarms accepting millions of empty plastic containers, 23 litres and under, for recycling.

Bagged empty containers – credit Cleanfarms

Last year alone, Canadian farmers brought back more than 5.5 million empty containers bringing the total since the jug collection program began more than 30 years ago to 137.4 million containers returned. As of 2019, Cleanfarms estimates the three-year average collection rate has increased to over 70% of the containers returned for recycling, up from the previous rate of 65%. The recycling rate for 2020 will be released in June.

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Cleanfarms Executive Director, Barry Friesen, says they would like to see a 100 per cent return.

“We’re challenging Canadian farmers to make a commitment this Earth Week to bring back all of the ag plastic jugs they use in their farm operations.”

Friesen adds, ““Our research shows that farmers want ag waste management programs that help them fulfil environmental responsibility goals and to operate their farms more sustainably for themselves and for future generations. They are eager to participate in programs that help them keep their farms and farm communities clean.”

Used plastic has been a big issue for farmers and Friesen notes Cleanfarms has the research behind it work.

Farmers want ag waste management programs that help them fulfil environmental responsibility goals and to operate their farms more sustainably for themselves and for future generations. They are eager to participate in programs that help them keep their farms and farm communities clean.”

Plastic jugs are not the only plastics recycled by the organization.

Cleanfarms also operates:

• a nation-wide recycling program for large non-deposit plastic totes and drums for pesticides and fertilizers
• a nation-wide collection and proper disposal program for unwanted pesticides and old, obsolete livestock and equine medications
• recycling programs for grain bags and twine on the prairies, and
• a disposal program for seed and pesticide bags in eastern Canada and fertilizer bags in Quebec

The recycled resource materials are reinvested in the circular economy and manufactured into new products such as farm drainage tile, flexible irrigation pipe and plastic bags.

Cleanfarms receives funding from its members in the crop protection, seed, fertilizer, animal health medication and grain bag industries. It has staff located in Lethbridge, Alberta; Moose Jaw, Saskatchewan; Ottawa and Etobicoke, Ontario; and St-Bruno, Quebec.