Travis Quirk Agricultural Plastics Recycling Coordinator Pilot Program > current

Transcription

1 Travis Quirk Agricultural Plastics Recycling Coordinator Pilot Program > current

2 Simply Ag is a not for profit grass roots agricultural organization. Have a history of administering programs that are both agricultural and environmentally related (Saskatchewan Species at Risk Farm Plan, Environmental Farm Plan, Watershed Awareness Initiative, Canada-Saskatchewan Farm Stewardship Program) Running province wide pilot program for recycling agricultural plastics since March of 2011

3 Use of plastic for harvest storage has several benefits for producers: Cost effective, labour savings Single use product Issue : Disposal of the used product Landfills are reluctant to accept the plastic Commonly burned on farm Harmful to people and environment & illegal Some is stockpiled on farms awaiting options for disposal Creates conditions ideal for pests

4 Long linear lengths ( )of LDPE plastic in 8, 10 or 12 diameter Typically 8 10 mil thickness Average of about 300lbs of plastic per grain bag

5 Trailer mounted Grain Bag Rollers Available to producers to use free of charge Roll up the bags into 3 x 4 bundles that are then secured with twine or rope to prevent unraveling. Easy to use and straight forward design that most producers are familiar with (hydraulics run off tractor) Producers are now buying their own rollers & new generations of grain extractors have plastic rolling incorporated into the design.

6 Collection sites Once rolled the bags are then transported by producer to collection site which range from private yards, municipal yards, private businesses and landfills Rolled bags are accumulated till sufficient amount for shipping a full load (approximately bags)

7 Collection Site Locations Initially started with 6 collection sites in addition to the previous sites that MJRWS operated. Since start have added and changed site locations. Plastic collected includes grain bags and twine.

8 Shipping to Recycler Bags are bulky and unstable which makes them difficult to ship Excessive handling results in unraveling of bundles Have made progress on being able to consistently and efficiently load shipments destined to recyclers.

9 Recyclers Numerous recyclers interested in the LDPE grain bags and PP twine. Grain bags are relatively clean compared to many other agricultural film plastics and don t contain any harmful residues. Largest barrier to recyclers is distance to ship product. Limited options available in western Canada so most material is shipped internationally.

10 Engaging producers by hosting demonstration events at each collection site and nearby surrounding areas. Radio advertising Attending trade & farm shows (Agribition, Farm Progress, Crop Production, SARM and numerous smaller shows) Ads in prominent agricultural publications (Western Producer, Agriview, Hay & Pasture Report, Cattlemen s Connection, Top Crop Manager, etc) Website ( & twitter (@SimplyAgteam) 2014 Ministry of Agriculture started offering a rebate (50%) on purchase of Grain Bag Rollers

11 Producers in surrounding areas (<50km) of collections sites are keen to make use of program Increase the ease of recycling more rollers, more collection sites Some producers willing to pay a small recycling fee while majority of others don t want any fee involved Concern over cost of potential environmental fee Issues with producers paying for bags bought out of province Some want to be paid for returning plastic Some think that someone should be paid to come to their farm to pick up the bags for recycling

12 Pilot Program Efforts since million lbs shipped to recyclers since start of pilot. Start of pilot to million lbs 2014 program year million lbs. Due to bumper harvest in 2013 and delays in grain shipping program year million lbs 2016 program year (current) million lbs

13 Partnered with 4-H groups to increase awareness and uptake of twine recycling Collected and shipped about 50,000lbs of twine in Misconception by producers that twine has to be immaculately clean Working with an agricultural engineering firm to improve on farm collection methods to increase uptake

14 Wide support for recycling program for grain bags Producers want better options for properly disposing of plastic Opposition to environmental handling fees Some producer groups are unsure of level of service Addition of other plastics to be included in pilot program in future.

15 August 2016 the Saskatchewan provincial government pass legislation to move towards a EPR program for grain bags Industry driven recycling program anticipated to take effect January 2018 What this means for province and agricultural producers: More collection sites across the province EHF of 5-7% on purchase of grain bags Better more consistent options for proper disposal

16 Use of agricultural film plastic is here to stay. There are options to properly dispose of the plastic. Stockpiles of plastic should be monitored for pests Burning of bags is unsustainable and illegal and should be discouraged Industry driven province wide program is making progress (grain bags only to start) and should be in effect by Jan 2018 Would be a huge benefit if all 3 prairie provinces would have Ag Plastic Recycling Programs

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