RCA Member Spotlight – PolyAg Recycling Ltd. Gives Grain Bags New Life
The RCA is advancing a circular economy in the province of Alberta. As a non-profit, charitable organization, we accomplish our goals by working collaboratively with and for our members and partners. This month, the RCA is proud to spotlight one of its members – PolyAg Recycling Ltd.
PolyAg Recycling Ltd. is based out of Bashaw, Alberta and collaborates with agriculture and recycling communities to provide a responsible recycling option for agricultural plastics. Agricultural plastic recycling is a growing industry as farms and Governments look for more responsible ways to manage agricultural plastics.
As profiled in the Western Producer and Bashaw Star, they opened for production amid the pandemic in 2020, recycling grain sacks collected in Alberta and Saskatchewan by non-profit organization Cleanfarms. Those collected in Alberta are part of a three-year pilot program in Alberta.
Once at the plant, the bags are shredded into small plastic pieces and screened before the plastic goes through a washing, rinsing and drying process to remove impurities. The plastic is then heated several times, shaped, and cut into pellets. The finished pellets are then tested for quality assurance before being shipped to manufacturers. They can then be used to make a variety of products, such as composite lumber, polymers, and plastic film.
With the success of the operation, they are also interested in expanding and recycling other plastic materials in the future. Learn more about PolyAg Recycling Ltd. and agricultural plastic recycling in Alberta.
