Nova Scotia farmers will soon have a new way to recycle agricultural plastics.
Agriculture Minister Greg Morrow announced $76,000 in provincial funding Tuesday at Glendyer Farm in Mabou, to allow Cleanfarms – a national not-for-profit organization -to expand its agricultural plastics recycling pilot across Nova Scotia.
The expanded program will allow farmers to recycle materials such as hay bale wrap and feed tarps through a network of collection sites established throughout the province.
Announcing the funding, Morrow said the initiative supports both farmers and environmental sustainability.
“Farmers are the backbone of rural Nova Scotia and are committed to stewarding the land and the environment,” Morrow said. “Our government is pleased to support the Cleanfarms recycling program, which is designed specifically for the agriculture sector.”
The expansion builds on a pilot project involving three farms in Inverness County. Farmers used a compactor to compress plastic waste before taking it to Cleanfarms collection sites for recycling.
Bruce Sutherland of Glendyer Farms, one of the pilot participants, said the project has provided farmers with a practical way to improve environmental stewardship.
“As farmers, we take pride in looking after the land we farm, and finding practical ways to manage and recycle agricultural plastics is another step toward building a more sustainable future for our farms and communities,” Sutherland said.
In addition to recycling hay bale wrap and feed covers, Cleanfarms already operates programs in Nova Scotia for agricultural pesticide container recycling and the safe disposal of unused pesticide products and expired livestock and horse medications.
The funding comes through the Sustainable Communities Challenge Fund, established in 2021 under the Environmental Goals and Climate Change Reduction Act. Since its creation, the fund has committed more than $15 million toward projects that help communities reduce greenhouse gas emissions, respond to climate change and build more sustainable communities across Nova Scotia.
