EDSON, Alta. — Farmers may soon have a solution to a nagging environmental problem.
A pilot project in Yellowhead County in western Alberta allows producers to recycle unwanted twine and used agricultural plastic.
“This is quite exciting because we know it’s going somewhere,” said George Wadey, who has started gathering the kilometres of twine from his hay.
“I believe in recycling. For us, it’s a natural thing to do,” said Wadey, who farms near Edson.
Large, clear plastic bags designed to fit inside a 45-gallon drum are being distributed free to farmers through the county.
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Farmers can toss their used twine into the bag and take them to a nearby transfer station or the Edson Recycling Depot.
When the facility has enough bags of twine, they can be tossed into the hopper, baled and shipped.
Farmers are also given mini bulk bags to collect bulky agricultural plastic, which is eventually baled and shipped to a plastic recycler.
Jennifer Benson, agricultural services supervisor, said farmers have been asking for years for an agricultural plastics recycling program.
She said there is no good way to deal with farm plastic. Producers can either bury or burn it or leave it in a pile to blow around the countryside.
One farmer filled half a bin at the transfer station each week with the agricultural plastic during the busy winter feeding period. It’s the same story in every community, she said.
Anne Auriat, manager of the recycling program in Edson, said they’re excited about the pilot projects.
“Farmers wanted to do the right thing, but there is no options,” she said.
The county and recycling staff will monitor the program over the next year to see if it is an efficient way to collect agricultural plastic.
Auriat said they don’t know if they need 100 large bags of twine to make a bale of recycled twine or half that amount.
Farmers can recycle used oil, electronics, tires, herbicides and pesticides, and a way to recycle agricultural plastic is also needed.
“We’ve got to catch up here in Alberta.”
