So just where do your old jugs, bale wrap and twine end up?

Recyclers really like your old pesticide and fertilizer jugs.

But your grain bags, not so much. And demand for twine, silage bags, and bale wrap isn’t hot at all.

That’s the upshot of a new report from Cleanfarms, the national non-profit created to find ways to deal with ag plastic waste and keep it out of landfills.

The report was commissioned because the material collected at Cleanfarms depots needs a place to go.

“The long-term viability of ag plastics recycling programs offers a unique set of challenges, one of which is the availability of end markets,” the report states.

It largely comes down to the type of plastic and how clean a load can be delivered. For example, pesticide and fertilizer containers are usually made of high-density polyethylene.

“This is a highly recyclable resin,” notes the report. “Recycling markets are stable, in part due to the positive characteristics of this item (relatively clean and consistent) at its end of life.”

The market for grain bags (made from low-density polyethylene) is “stable but limited” and silage bags, which are made from the same plastic, are more problematic because they are more “contaminated.”

Recycling markets for twine (made from polypropylene) are limited but “showing some promise” while “bale wrap recycling markets are unreliable with preliminary signs of development.”

But change is also taking place, the report adds.

“A number of private sector and government-led initiatives are underway that, if fully executed, will likely improve demand for recycled content and have a cascading, positive impact.”

Cleanfarms is keeping close watch on these markets, but they’re complex and evolving, said the organization’s executive director.

“We can help by ensuring that we provide recyclers with high-quality, consistent feedstock and that we incorporate their feedback into program operations,” Barry Friesen said in a news release. “Our permanent programs allow for this. As pilots mature, we hope to see similar progress toward long-term stability in end markets for baler twine, bale wrap and silage plastics.”

And producers don’t just want to drop off old plastic and forget it, he added.

“Farmers want reassurance that the material they turn into recycling programs is, in fact, being made into new products,” the news release states.

That’s the case with those pesticide and fertilizer containers made from high-density polyethylene.

“Thirteen recycling facilities accept these containers for recycling,” the report states. “Seven processors are also active in recycling these types of containers. A predominant end use for this recycled material is in drainage tile, which can then be used on farms.”

Grain bags are also being made into useful products, but the number of recyclers is considerably smaller.

“There are four facilities accepting grain bags for recycling, and one additional facility in the testing phase… Bags are shredded, washed and pelletized to produce materials such as plastic bags, lumber, fence posts and highway guard rails.”

And just two facilities in North America accept twine. It is pelletized and the pellets used for items such as car parts, plastic dimensional lumber and roofing materials.

One facility in Quebec is taking bale wrap for recycling while two “waste to energy facilities are accepting limited amounts for waste to energy recovery.”

Cleanfarms offers a variety of ag plastics recycling programs. It began in 1989 by collecting empty pesticide containers and has moved into items such as twine and grain bags.

It offers a number of programs in Alberta, some through municipal waste management facilities and others as pilot programs (including for items such as seed bags and bale wrap). For details on what’s available in your area and how the product must be prepared for drop-off, go to cleanfarms.ca and click on the Programs by Province tab.