In recent months, the Haut-Saint-Laurent RCM, together with AgriRÉCUP, has been setting up a pilot project concerning the recycling of agricultural plastics in the region.
Photo Haut-Saint-Laurent RCM
The RCM confirms that farmers will thus play a leading role in the development of a “zero plastic waste” strategy in the agricultural sector in Quebec.
“The Haut-Saint-Laurent RCM is proud to collaborate in reducing the environmental footprint of farmers by jointly developing ecological solutions for the recycling of agricultural plastics, here and elsewhere in Quebec, with AgriRÉCUP”, says Louise Lebrun, Prefect of the Haut-Saint-Laurent RCM.
Help manage the disposal of plastics on the farm
Running a livestock farm involves growing and harvesting silage and hay to feed the livestock. The fodders will be packed and stored, often for months, requiring the use of bale wrap film, silage tarps and bags, twine and netwrap. This represents a significant amount of plastic which is calculated in tonnes.
In general, used plastic ends up going to landfills or burnt on the farm.
“The common thread that links the farmers of the Haut-Saint-Laurent RCM to those who are already participating in pilot projects across the province is the management of these materials when they are no longer needed, says Christine Lajeunesse, director of Eastern Canada for AgriRÉCUP. Used agricultural plastics are difficult to handle on the farm, but we know farmers are supportive of solutions to manage them in an environmentally responsible way.”
Recycling: a practice to integrate
The pilot project offers farmers two management methods to recycle their plastics:
- The collection bag where all you have to do is place each type of plastic separately in an AgriRÉCUP collection bag available at participating collection sites.
- The baler will allow farmers to compress between 200 and 250 plastic films. Once compressed, the bale will weigh nearly 450 kg.
The RCM indicates that farmers who use the baler on the farm report positive results, noting that it is easier to handle the plastic: it remains cleaner, meeting the quality criteria of recyclers.
All interested farmers will be able to return the collection bags or bales to the following three collection sites, starting June 15th .
Garage Municipale Saint-Anicet
5001, route 132, Saint-Anicet
Monday to Friday, from 9 a.m. to 12 p.m. and
1 p.m. to 4 p.m.
Uniag Sainte-Martine
195, rue Sainte-Marie, Sainte-Martine
Monday to Friday, from 9 a.m. to 12 p.m. and
1 p.m. to 4 p.m.
Garage Municipale de Hinchinbrooke
315, route 202, Hinchinbrooke
Collections every 2nd Wednesday of the month.
Note that the first collection will take place on Wednesday, July 14th , from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m.
Farmers can purchase AgriRÉCUP bags to store their agricultural plastics at the Town Hall and Garage Municipale in Hinchinbrooke, at the Town Halls of Elgin and Godmanchester, and Garage Municipal in Franklin.
