Sask. invests in farm program
Farming could soon be more environmentally friendly.
Ken Cheveldayoff, the provincial environment minister, announced funding on Monday for CleanFARMS Inc. to support the work necessary to develop an industry-led program for the recycling of agricultural plastics. The materials involved include plastic grain bags, plastic twine, silage bags and bale wrap.
“As the agricultural industry grows in Saskatchewan, we see a growing need to expand recycling programs to incorporate agricultural plastics,” Cheveldayoff said in a news release.
A pilot program funded by the Ministry of Agriculture saw approximately 83,300 kilograms of plastic recycled in the past two years.
“With the support of Saskatchewan producers, I am confident that expanding this program will further protect our environment,” Cheveldayoff said.
Right now, agricultural producers have few options available to properly handle and dispose of plastic materials. The new program is expected to look for innovative ways to reduce the pressure on local infrastructure.
The Saskatchewan Agricultural Stewardship Council (SASC), made up of representatives from the agricultural industry and formed under the CleanFARMS umbrella, has been tasked with developing and implementing an agricultural recycling program.
“A provincial agricultural plastics recycling program will offer consistent access to recycling and further divert recyclables from municipal landfills,” said Cheveldayoff.
“Municipalities that operate rural landfills are looking for opportunities to divert materials in order to extend the life of their landfills and measures like a provincial agricultural plastics recycling program can aid those efforts as well.”
The CleanFARMS Inc. pilot program has operated in areas around the province since 2011.