Ontario innovation will help reduce on-farm plastic waste

By Steve Brackenridge, Director, OFA

To The Haldimand Press

Reducing our environmental footprint is on every farmer’s agenda. We’re always looking for ways to improve water quality and preserve natural wildlife habitats as we continually adjust our farming practices to leave our soil and water in better shape for the next generation.

We understand it’s our responsibility to recycle and reduce plastic waste on our farms, for the health of our environment today, and for future generations of farmers. Right now, more than 3,500 tonnes of plastic agricultural waste are generated in Ontario each year from plastic waste, including plastic bale wraps and silage plastic. The Ontario Federation of Agriculture (OFA) recognizes the need to reduce plastic use on farms. We know we need to be part of the solution, and new innovations can help us get there. That’s why OFA is supporting a new research project to develop biodegradable bale wrap and twine. What could be better than utilizing Ontario-grown crops and converting them into an environmentally friendly product that is used every day on our farms?