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(submitted photo/CleanFarms)
Successful Partnership

Lacombe County ready for new agricultural plastics recycling season

Oct 30, 2020 | 3:07 PM

Officials with Lacombe County have announced they are set to launch a new season of recycling agricultural plastics next month.

After launching the Agricultural Plastics Recycling Program in 2018, Lacombe County is ready to pick up plastics from producers in Lacombe County, Red Deer County, and Ponoka County to ensure the proper recycling of plastic grain bags.

“Lacombe County council originally authorized the creation of the program out of frustration with the lack of options available for local agriculture producers to recycle agriculture plastics,” said Dion Burlock, Manager of Agriculture and Environmental Services, in a press release. “Since the program launched, we have seen more than 14,000 kg of agricultural plastics be diverted from local landfills or be incinerated on farms.”

Since launching in November 2018, the Agricultural Plastics Recycling Program has grown significantly, collecting 116 rolls from three producers in 2018, 84 rolls from 10 producers last year, and 112 rolls collected so far this year from 19 producers.

Burlock added that the Agricultural Plastics Recycling Program has evolved into a successful multi-organizational partnership between Lacombe County, Ponoka County, Red Deer County, Lacombe Regional Waste Services Commission and Cleanfarms Inc.

Lacombe County will begin collecting agricultural plastics in November free of charge to agricultural producers located within Lacombe County, Ponoka County, and Red Deer County.

Requirements include:

  • Agricultural producers who request grain bag recycling services must have a person on-site capable of assisting with the rolling and collection operation.
  • Grain bags MUST BE FREE of grain, mud, dirt, debris, and vermin.
  • To ensure used grain bags are eligible for recycling, schedule grain bag collection services within one week of grain extraction.

To schedule an appointment to have your agricultural plastics picked up, or for further questions about the program, please contact Krista Pannenbecker 403-782-8959 or kpannenbecker@lacombecounty.com.