An agricultural plastics pelletizing plant could be in the future for the MD of Bonnyville.
After discussions surrounding the Agricultural Plastics Recycling Group (APRG) pilot program, the MD turned their attention to how they could better serve their own community.
During their Wednesday, March 6 committee meeting, council decided to investigate the cost and viability of building their own agricultural plastics pelletizing facility, write a letter to the Minister of Agriculture and Forestry about lending them a hand with the APRG program, and work with surrounding communities to determine if there’s a possible partnership with gathering agricultural plastic materials.
In January, the provincial government announced they would be contributing to the APRG pilot to a tune of $750,000.
The program will recycle grain bags and twine, something the MD is already doing.
Director of ag and waste services for the MD, Matt Janz, said the municipality has been collecting agricultural plastics since 2013 and sending it away for recycling.
The cost to ship the materials to Calgary is $100, and the MD is paid $100 for the product, so essentially, Janz said, they’re breaking even.
Part of the APRG’s three-year pilot program is market research for all types of agriculture plastics, a waste characterization study to determine plastic volumes and materials, surveys, and education about the program.
Expected to kick-off in the fall, APRG will be looking for municipalities like the MD who already have these programs in place to lend them a hand.
Coun. Dana Swigart said because they’re already one step ahead, he believes the municipality should reach out to APRG.
“I just think because we have our own program, we could be proactive and maybe have our name in first as a municipality that wants to be a part of the study,” he expressed. “I guess I’m asking this council to write a letter saying this municipality is open for business, we want to get involved, and tell them what we’re doing.”
Janz agreed, “They will probably be looking on municipalities like us for help on going forward on what their plans are.”
He added, there will also be funding made available through the program, but what that looks like is still unclear.
The opportunity to build a pelletizing plant of their own came up.
Not only would it save the MD from shipping it to Calgary, Janz said, it would also be saving them money.
“We also have to look at the long-term on this. Is there always going to be a market for this?” noted Coun. Marc Jubinville.
Janz said, “First we need to know if there’s money available for the creation of our own recycling facility. Even if it’s not, we can still get the costs associated with doing that.”
Regardless of whether there is funding through the APRG program, Swigart expressed interest in investigating the possibility.
“I would be in favour of putting money towards something that’s going to help the area.”
The MD will also be looking at working with surrounding communities on gathering materials such as grain bags and twine.
