Originally posted July 31, 2025, on the Government of Alberta website.
Stakeholders can provide input on how a regulatory approach could be used to manage agricultural plastics waste.
Overview
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.
Get informed
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.
Stakeholder engagement
Agricultural plastics producers, agricultural service boards, agricultural commodity groups, agricultural producers (farmers and ranchers), municipalities and waste management and recycling organizations can complete an online survey by Sept. 12, 2025 to share input on using a regulatory approach for managing agricultural plastics waste, including:
- types of agricultural plastics to include
- clarifying the description of the obligated plastics producer
- material recovery rate targets
- service standards for material collection
Outcomes
Input will be considered as part of policy and decision-making on managing agricultural plastics waste through a regulatory approach to provide a long-term solution for agricultural plastics waste.
Contact
Connect with us if you have questions about the agricultural plastics waste recycling engagement:
Email: agi.agplasticsengagement@gov.ab.ca