Grain Bag Recycling Program Receives $200,000 to Meet Demand

News Release

April 20, 2015 – Regina, Saskatchewan – Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada (AAFC)

The federal and provincial governments have committed $200,000 to the continuation of the Grain Bag Recycling Pilot Project in 2015. The program collects both grain bags and twine province-wide.

The new funding will allow Simply Ag Solutions to meet the strong demand for the program. In 2014-15 Simply Ag Solutions shipped 1,871,000 pounds of plastic from their 13 collection sites.

Since its inception in 2011, the Grain Bag Recycling Pilot Project has recycled approximately 2,421,000 pounds of plastic (7,345 bags). The Ministry of Environment continues to work on the creation of regulations that will see the establishment of a permanent industry-led recycling program in the future.

Quick Facts

Farmers and ranchers can access collection sites across the province in Cudworth, Hirsch, Humboldt, Kelvington, Macoun, Marshall, Milestone, Moose Jaw, Mossbank, Prince Albert, Rush Lake, Saskatoon and Unity.
For additional information, producers can contact Simply Agriculture Solutions Inc. toll-free at 1-866-298-7222.
This investment is funded through Growing Forward 2, a cost-shared partnership between federal, provincial and territorial governments designed to support an innovative, competitive and profitable Canadian agriculture and agri-food sector.

Quote

"Our Government remains committed to supporting Canada's producers and our world-class agriculture industry. By extending the pilot project, we’re giving farmers an easy and positive solution to continue to be excellent stewards of our land, air and water resources."
– Agriculture Minister Gerry Ritz

"Grain bag recycling increased significantly last year, shipping three times more plastic than in the three previous years of the project combined. The project is doing what it is designed to do and the increased uptake demonstrates the commitment of Saskatchewan farmers and ranchers to maintaining a healthy and sustainable environment."
– Saskatchewan Minister of Agriculture Lyle Stewart

"Our goal is to divert as much plastic from farmyards and landfills as possible and with the help of producers in Saskatchewan, our efforts are making an impact."
– Simply Ag Solutions, Agriculture Plastic Recycling Co-ordinator, Travis Quirk

Additional links

Growing Forward 2 (Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada)
Growing Forward 2 (Saskatchewan Agriculture)
Simply Ag Solutions, Inc. Collection Sites

Contacts

Jeff English
Director of Communications
Office of the Honourable Gerry Ritz
613-773-1059

Media Relations
Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada
Ottawa, Ontario
613-773-7972
1-866-345-7972
Follow us on Twitter: @AAFC_Canada

Sarah Hein
Agriculture
Regina
306-787-5389
sarah.hein@gov.sk.ca
306-527-9102 (Cellular)

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Grain Bag Recycling Program Receives $200,000 to Meet Demand

News Release

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