Getting Started with Ag Plastics Recycling in Alberta
Plastic is a big part of modern farming, from grain bags to twine and bale wrap. It keeps feed fresh, helps manage harvests, and saves time, but it also lasts forever. Piles of used plastic can build up quickly, and burning it is not only harmful but illegal in Alberta. The good news is, there are programs and easy first steps that can help farmers turn waste into something useful instead of a problem in the yard.
This article was inspired by our recent What a Waste seminar, where producers and experts shared practical solutions for managing on-farm plastics and carcasses.
What’s Accepted Right Now
Through the Ag-Plastics: Recycle It! pilot program, Alberta farmers can recycle two materials:
Grain bags
Plastic baler twine
These were selected because they are widely used, relatively clean to recycle, and there are established markets for the resin.
Other ag plastics — including silage plastic, tarps, bale wrap, net wrap, feed bags, super sacks, and greenhouse film — are not yet included in the province-wide pilot. Cleanfarms has tested silage film and bale wrap in smaller pilots, and there is ongoing work to bring more materials into future programs under Alberta’s upcoming Extended Producer Responsibility (EPR) system.
Cleanfarms also operates other recycling programs in Alberta that accept empty pesticide & fertilizer containers up to 23 L, large tote/seed/pesticide bags, and drums or totes over 23 L.
Where to Take Plastics
Finding a drop-off location is easy: Visit the Cleanfarms Alberta collection map and search by material type (grain bags, twine, containers, etc.). The interactive map shows collection sites across the province.
Many counties and MDs also list their local collection points on their websites, or you can call your agricultural fieldman for details.
First Steps on the Farm
During the What a Waste seminar, Assar Grinde from the Agricultural Plastics Recycling Group (APRG) reminded producers that getting started doesn’t have to be perfect. Even small changes make a difference. Here are some easy ways to begin:
Roll up grain bags while they’re still dry and free of debris. This saves space and makes them easier to handle at collection sites.
Shake off excess dirt, snow, or silage from twine before bagging it. Clean, dry twine is more likely to be accepted for recycling.
Use the right collection bags — most sites supply free twine recycling bags. Fill them fully, tie them shut, and keep them stored in a clean, dry spot.
Separate clean from dirty material. If twine is badly contaminated with mud or silage, toss it in the garbage. Don’t waste time trying to scrub it — just focus on saving the clean stuff.
Pick a spot on your farmyard to stockpile plastics through the year. A consistent drop-off spot keeps everyone on the same page and avoids plastic blowing around.
As Assar put it, “Don’t try to be perfect. Just do what’s easy — and it will make a big difference.”
Why It Matters
Since the pilot launched in 2019, Alberta farmers have already diverted millions of kilograms of grain bags and twine from landfills. These plastics are recycled into products like composite lumber, flowerpots, car parts, and even new grain bags.
More importantly, producers are showing that agriculture can be part of the solution. By preparing plastics properly and taking them to collection sites, we keep waste out of burn piles and landfills, protect our land, and set up the industry for a stronger, permanent recycling system in the future.
Next Step for Farmers
Check the Cleanfarms Website to see all the materials you can recycle, find your nearest collection site, and start rolling grain bags or filling a twine bag this season. Small steps now can make a big impact for your farm, your community, and the land we all depend on.
For more background, stories, and the full recording of the What a Waste seminar that inspired this article, visit: https://www.farmingforward.ca/blog/what-a-waste-recap.
