This week is Earth Week. In light of the celebration of our planet, Cleanfarms will be starting its annual agricultural plastic jug recycling program shortly after. The program, which spans from May to October, will be run from coast to coast, in over 1,100 collection locations.
Last year, Canadian farmers brought back more than 5.5 million empty containers, totaling the number of containers collected to 137.4 million since the inception of the program 30 years ago. As of 2019, the three-year average collection rate has increased to over 70% of the containers returned for recycling, up from the previous rate of 65%.
“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. We want 100% of them this year,” said Cleanfarms Executive Director Barry Friesen. “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,”
Cleanfarms will accept empty plastic containers 23L and under. The program aims to keep these resource materials out of the environment and reinvested in the circular economy. Recycled agricultural plastics are manufactured into new products such as farm drainage tiles, flexible irrigation pipes, and plastic bags.
Cleanfarms also operates a nation-wide recycling program for large non-deposit plastic totes and drums for pesticides and fertilizers, as well as a nation-wide collection and proper disposal program for unwanted pesticides and old, obsolete livestock and equine medications. The organization also holds recycling programs for grain bags and twine on the prairies, a disposal program for seed and pesticide bags in eastern Canada, and a disposal program for fertilizer bags in Quebec.