Lacombe, Ponoka, and Red Deer counties have teamed up to create a recycling program for Grain Bags.

Dion Burlock of Lacombe County was a key member in the project.

“We certainly promote sustainable agriculture practice here so it’s a good look for the industry that we are taking steps”

The agreement was signed with Merlin Plastics, which operates out of western Canada; council assures that all of the program operations will take place here in Alberta.

 Council members explain, the plastic grain bags will be collected from agricultural producers in the area, and will be delivered to a recycling facility in Southern Alberta. They say the plastic will then be processes and turned into pellets that can be used by a plastics manufacturer.

 “Were certainly promoting certain agricultural practices, I don’t think anyone has any appetite to see landfill space being used up by recyclable product.”

Lacombe County is said to be in charge of collection services. The bags will be rolled on site and collected for an eventual delivery to the south manufacturer.

The county listed the requirements in a press release:

  • Agricultural producers who request grain bag recycling services must have a person on site who is 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, grain bag collection services should be scheduled within one week of grain extraction.

The program, which is of no cost to those utilizing it, will begin November 1.

“There’s certainly going to be costs associated with the program, by partnering with two other counties we’ve got an economy scale where those costs will be minimized for each jurisdiction.”