Agricultural plastics management engagement

We are gathering insights and perspectives about how a regulatory approach could be applied to managing agricultural plastics waste.

Agricultural plastics, such as baler twine, grain bags, bale wrap, and silage plastic, can cause waste challenges for agricultural producers and agricultural businesses and leave lasting environmental impacts. Currently, recycling options for agricultural plastics are limited to certain materials and rely on voluntary approaches or pilot programs.

Shifting to a regulatory approach would provide long-term certainty for material management, a level playing field for agricultural plastics producers, and economies of scale to better support processing facilities. It would also encourage agricultural plastics producers to develop innovative waste management solutions.

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In Alberta, there are currently 2 regulatory approaches for the end-of-life management of waste materials that can be recycled. The approaches are typically referred to as extended producer responsibility (EPR) and stewardship. Either of these approaches could be considered to manage agricultural plastics waste or another regulatory approach could be developed.

Under EPR, material producers are responsible for operating and funding a system to collect, process and recycle the materials they supply into Alberta. The Extended Producer Responsibility Regulation, which came into force in November 2022, provides the framework for EPR systems. Currently, single-use products, packaging and paper, as well as hazardous and special products are included in the regulation.

Alberta also regulates end-of-life management of waste materials through regulated stewardship programs. Currently, there are 4 regulated stewardship programs managed by the Alberta Recycling Management Authority (electronics, paint and paint containers, tires and used oil materials) and one managed by the Beverage Container Management Board (beverage containers).

Under a stewardship program, material producers are responsible for funding but not managing a system to collect, process and recycle the materials they supply.