Sask. expands grain bag, twine collection sites

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Fourteen collection sites will accept plastic grain bags and twine for recycling this year as Saskatchewan works toward an industry-led permanent recycling program for 2015.

The federal and provincial governments announced last week that the pilot project will receive $100,000 in funding through Growing Forward 2 for another year.

The program began with six sites in March 2011, and has since then recycled 325,800 kilograms of plastic (2,172 bags) and 6,600 kg of twine.

Last year’s huge crop will result in more used grain bags, said agriculture minister Lyle Stewart.

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“We want farmers to continue to have an option to responsibly dispose of their bags,” he said.

Federal agriculture minister Gerry Ritz said the high level of participation in the program indicates farmers want to do just that.

Saskatchewan’s environment ministry is developing regulations that should result in a permanent recycling program by next year.

Until then, Simply Agriculture Solutions, known until April 1 as the Provincial Council of Agriculture Development and Diversification Boards, will continue to administer the program.

Bag rollers are available that producers can use to roll bags before transporting them to the collection sites.

Simply Ag co-ordinates transportation from the site to recycling facilities.

Travis Quirk, agricultural plastic recycling co-ordinator, said other products such as silage plastic and net wrap will be added to the pilot.

Where recycling isn’t available, producers should check with their nearest landfills to find out if grain bags can be taken there.

For more information, contact Simply Agriculture Solutions at 866-298-7222.