Grain Bags
Res #: 37-16A
Number: 37
Year: 2016
Midterm: No
Expired: No
Responses Received: Yes
Departments: Saskatchewan Ministry of Environment
WHEREAS many farmers are using plastic grain bags for temporary storage; and
WHEREAS some bags are being improperly disposed of, either by burning or being left to disintegrate, causing an environmental concern; and
WHEREAS there is no onus or responsibility on the retailers selling the bags to receive the bags back to where they were sold; and
WHEREAS Ag Chemical dealers are required to charge a deposit on chemical containers and return the deposit when the container is returned to the dealer;
BE IT RESOLVED that SARM lobby the Provincial Government to require that the retailers selling grain bags be compelled to charge a deposit on the grain bags at the time of their sale and to pay back to the producer the deposit when the used bags are returned to the dealer for proper disposal.
Responses From: Saskatchewan Ministry of Environment
June 7, 2016
We recognize the need for improved disposal and recycling options for plastic waste generated by the agricultural sector. The ministry is currently working with the Ministry of Agriculture and stakeholders to pursue a program that will provide producers with access to environmentallyresponsible options for material disposal. The ministry is considering regulations that will initially require industry stewards to create, fund and operate a recycling program for grain bags. This approach is consistent with other successful industry stewardship programs where the industry is tasked to develop the most effective and efficient option for recycling grain bags.
While the ministry is developing the regulations, the Ministry of Agriculture is funding a pilot program for grain bag recycling operated by Simple Ag Solutions. For more information about Simply Ag collection sites, please visit simplyag.ca/collection-sites/.
The ministry does not require any agricultural dealerships to charge a deposit on chemical containers. CleanFARMS operates a voluntary empty chemical container recycling program throughout Canada. The program has been very active in Saskatchewan. For more information on empty container
recycling, please visit cleanfarms.ca/containerrecycling.html.
The Honourable Herb Cox – Minister of Environment, Saskatchewan Ministry of Environment
