Agriculture Plastic Agriculture Plastic Recycling Pilot in Recycling Pilot in SaskatchewanSaskatchewan2010 – Present2010 – PresentCollection, Processing & Recycling of Agricultural Plastics in Saskatchewan

Saskatchewan Watersheds

Moose Jaw River Watershed

Why?Watershed stewardship is not just about water,

it’s also about the protection of all the land, flora and fauna, that is within that watershed.

Watershed managers work closely with Rural Municipalities and landowners as they are the ones that own, make decisions for, or manage the vast majority of the landscape.

We implement projects and partnerships at a grass-roots level engaging and communicating at multiple levels.

Environmental concernsRiparian area health

Current ManagementLandfill

More landfills banning materialPresents hazards to equipmentLarge volumes that take up space and

need compacting

Open BurningPresents significant air pollution from ash and smoke - this may end up in the soil or surface water

Burning:Volatile organic emissions tested for in a simulated

open burning of used agricultural plastics by the United States Environmental Protection Agency

Grain Bag RollerBrown Bros. Welding and Fabrication: Milestone, SK

Managing sites

Must deal with as many issues as possible internally rather than hoping there aren’t any when the load arrives.

Designate areas with signs

Results:• over 140 producers have participated• some travelled over 200 kilometres• all participants maintain that they will continue to participate• approximately 454,000 Kilograms (Approx. 998,800 lbs.) of plastic collected since March 2010• Hundreds of calls and inquires on project• All of the Plastic materials were accepted

Issues:• distance to ship to recyclers• loose material, sod and soil contamination• Pest contamination• need material to be consolidated into large bales to stack• shipping is the largest unknown factor and the most expensive• bags that contain twine, break down before a full semi load can be collected• Education and awareness consistent to producers across the prairies

SolutionsProvide ranches, feedlots and auction marts with bags for twine and use teams and 4H clubs to collect as a fundraiser

Education on how to roll; provide twine free of charge on the grain bag roller, store rolls properly so that they shed water

Thank you . . .

Saskatchewan during the day.

Saskatchewan at night.