A pilot project to collect and then recycle agricultural plastic could still grow into a feasible long-term program, according to a report by Kent Coun. Duane Post.
He sits on a committee that discusses the once-FVRD-led pilot project, which wrapped up in 2012 without a committed recycler.
The problem with securing a recycler for the tons of agricultural plastics being collected, is that ag plastic is the lowest grade, Post said.
"A lot of the farms are still collecting the plastic," he said, and a sample is being taken a potential recycler by a committee member.
If that works out, Post said, there will likely be a fee charged to each participating farm, he added.
During the pilot project, more than 50 tons of ag plastics was collected by Agassiz farmers. The plastics would normally be sent to landfills or burned, and includes bunker silo covers, twine, clear plastics, "ag bags" and large fertilizer bags.
The innovative project was led by Stacey Barker at the regional district, and watched by communities around the province. It was also featured by the District's in its successful bid to win a Communities in Bloom award.
Post said the committee will soon learn if the potential recycler is a good fit.
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