Cleanfarms pilot aims to help farmers recycle agricultural plastics

Cleanfarms, an Etobicoke, Ontario-based nonprofit focused on sustainability-related agriculture initiatives, is collaborating with the Fraser Valley Regional District (FVRD) and the British Columbia Ministry of Agriculture and Food to launch a five-year pilot program (2025-2029) to support farmers in the Fraser Valley in recycling bale wrap and silage plastics.

Cleanfarms says the pilot builds on experience from similar programs in northern British Columbia and expands on the work of farmers in Agassiz who have been recycling plastics for several years, recently with expertise and logistical support from Cleanfarms and financial support from the Dairy Farmers of Canada. The program aims to reduce agricultural plastic scrap while improving on-farm recycling efficiency.

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Leveraging its experience in preparation and collection of agricultural plastics for recycling, Cleanfarms says it is launching the pilot to develop sustainable long-term solutions relevant to British Columbia agriculture, adding that the Fraser Valley is the province’s largest dairy region.

“With upwards of $188,000 in funding, this investment aims to reduce on-farm plastic waste and lay the groundwork for a provincewide agricultural plastics recycling program,” says Jake Turek, waste management engineer for the British Columbia Ministry of Agriculture and Food. “It’s a crucial step toward a more sustainable and circular agricultural sector in BC.”

Patricia Ross, the FVRD’s board chair, says the district is proud to be involved in the five-year program, adding that “the collaboration with Cleanfarms is creating an opportunity with practical solutions to help farmers reduce their environmental footprint in the region.”

Cleanfarms will host a demonstration day in Agassiz on June 17, where farmers can test different compactors and learn about how to participate in the pilot. Farmers will store baled plastics on their farms, and drop-off events will be held twice per year. Additional details have been made available on Cleanfarms’ pilot web page.

“Pilot projects like this allow us to test and refine programs, making it easier to establish permanent recycling solutions,” Cleanfarms Executive Director Barry Friesen says. “Furthermore, farmers can recycle other ag plastics through Cleanfarms’ existing collection programs for used ag plastic containers, totes, drums and unwanted pesticides and livestock medications, which has its next collection in BC’s Peace Region in 2025.”