Online map locates plastic waste recycling depots

Farmers Forum staff

OTTAWA — Farmers looking to drop off agricultural plastic waste for recycling should check out a new online website mapping these depots across Ontario.

From chemical jugs to silage plastic, the drop-off locations are mapped-out at csmap.cleanfarms.ca/FindMap — an interactive website recently established by the Cleanfarms non-profit organization.

Cleanfarms has been coordinating the collection of some farming plastics since 2009, when it took over a pesticide and fertilizer jug recycling program started by CropLife in 1989. That ongoing effort now counts over 156 million waste plastic containers, up to 23 litres in size, collected and recycled across Canada. By weight, Ontario accounted for 27 % of the 2.37 million kg of waste containers collected nationally in 2023.

The new website tool shows 36 sites east of Peterborough in Eastern Ontario currently accepting waste plastic jugs from farmers. A similar number of sites also accept other farm plastics in the region: large tote bags, seed and pest bags, silage plastic, totes and drums. However, locations taking plastic twine, bale wrap and bedding bags are currently limited to Southwestern Ontario, according to the interactive map.

Cleanfarms’ recycling programs are funded by 225 member manufacturers and distributors, which in turn collect the cost from their customers. Although the organization does pursue government grants when pilot-testing new programs, Cleanfarms Executive Director Barry Friesen said that manufacturers and distributors pick up the tab once a program becomes permanent. “Ultimately, the program costs are either included in the cost of the product or added as an ‘eco-fee’ at the point of purchase,” he added.