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Manitoba launches ag plastic stewardship program

Manitoba will become the second Canadian jurisdiction with a provincially regulated agricultural plastics stewardship program and the first to include multiple designated materials, Conservation and Climate Minister Sarah Guillemard and Agriculture and Resource Development Minister Blaine Pedersen announced on May 26.

“We are pleased to announce that Cleanfarms Inc. has established another important stewardship program to take responsibility for recycling products and materials produced by its industry members,” Guillemard said in a press release. “This program will contribute to the recycling of plastic waste, which is a priority for all Canadian jurisdictions.”

Cleanfarms will operate the stewardship program on behalf of the agricultural industry and manage the collection and recycling of agricultural plastics. Manitoba producers will be able to drop off used grain bags and plastic baler twine at designated collection sites throughout the province without paying user fees at the points of collection. Cleanfarms will arrange for pickup, transportation and recycling of these materials from the collection sites.

“The agricultural sector understands the importance of respecting the environment as well as any industry and we expect this program will make a significant difference,” Pedersen said. “Reducing the amount of plastic destined for our landfills is critical and we are confident that producers will support this effort.”

The stewardship programs will be industry-funded at no cost to the province, the ministers said. Like many other stewardship programs in Manitoba, this initiative will be supported through environmental handling fees included in the sale prices of program materials.