Should Alberta Regulate Agricultural Plastics Recycling?

Official title: Agricultural plastics management engagement

Closed Regulations & Permits Agriculture & Food Environment & Climate
Alberta gathered input on whether to require recycling of farm plastics like baler twine, grain bags, and silage wrap. Right now, recycling these materials is voluntary and limited. A regulatory approach would make producers responsible for managing this waste long-term.

Why This Matters

If you're a farmer or rancher, you know the headache of dealing with used grain bags and baler twine. There's nowhere good to put them. This could mean proper recycling options finally come to rural Alberta—but it might also add costs that get passed along.

What Could Change

Producers of agricultural plastics could be required to fund and manage recycling programs. New collection services would need to meet service standards across rural Alberta. Recovery rate targets would set how much material must actually be recycled.

Key Issues

  • Which agricultural plastics should be included in the regulations?
  • Who counts as an 'obligated plastics producer' responsible for recycling?
  • What material recovery rate targets should be set?
  • What service standards should apply for material collection?
  • How should costs be distributed among stakeholders?

What Happened

Input was gathered from agricultural plastics producers, agricultural service boards, commodity groups, farmers, ranchers, municipalities, and recycling organizations through an online survey. The feedback will be considered as part of policy and decision-making on managing agricultural plastics waste through a regulatory approach.

Key Documents