The Canadian crop protection industry supports one of the best approaches to stewardship of packaging and products in the country. With programming that started in 1989, this industry helps Cleanfarms collect over 75% of plastic containers. These containers are about 5% of all ag plastics generated in Canada annually. The agricultural industry is tackling this and many more of its plastic products today.

This session will highlight industry’s approach to implementing effective strategies that will result in a truly circular economy for agricultural plastics. It will do this by working with the entire value chain from manufacturing to distribution to end use and bringing these items back to the manufacturing cycle again. Key to success includes having the right policy framework and smart communication programs targeting all actors in the value chain.

An important next step is to include recycled content in new plastic products used on the farm. This will require an economy of scale that will provide enough used ag plastics to support making new products from the used items. With the right policy framework, efficient collection systems and good communication and awareness, the ag plastics industry intends to achieve a true, circular economy.

Presenters:

• Barry Friesen, P.Eng. Executive Director, Cleanfarms/AgriRÉCUP https://cleanfarms.ca/ https://agrirecup.ca/
• Robert Flores, Global Vice President of Sustainability, Berry Global https://www.berryglobal.com/en/
• Loralee Orr, Canadian Lead, Corteva Agriscience https://www.corteva.ca/
• Shelly Nicole-Phillips, Manager Waste Stewardship and Recycling, Saskatchewan Ministry of Environment, Co-Chair CCME Waste Committee https://www.saskatchewan.ca/government/government-structure/ministries/environment
• Lynn Leavitt, Owner, Prince Edward County Beef Farm - fourth generation farmer, "birth to plate" cattle operations