Attitudes to the recovery and recycling of agricultural plastics waste: A case study of Nova Scotia, Canada

Abstract Agricultural plastics waste (APW) is produced in different quantities and at widely distributed geographic locations and timeframes, and is often contaminated and/or physically degraded. Only a handful of jurisdictions have developed successful APW recycling programs through legislation or voluntary initiatives. The purpose of this study is to identify key barriers to implementing effective, accessible APW recycling programs. Using Nova Scotia (NS) (Canada) as a case study, we identified types of plastic and commodity groups that merit special attention, operational considerations that influence program development and implementation, and farmer attitudes regarding both the importance of APW recycling and the enabling conditions necessary to encourage their participation. Data were collected using a mail-out survey to NS farmers. Findings indicate that the farming community of NS has a positive predisposition to environmentally responsible disposal of APW, and were willing to introduce on-farm activities to prepare APW for collection. However, respondents were also frustrated with the existing lack of services/support for APW management and were opposed to any program that requires their participation in ‘off-site’ activities such as transporting materials to a central depot. The broader findings indicate that APW collection and recycling programs that are able to comprehensively address most barriers to an APW program will require a co-management structure funded by both the farming community and stakeholders from within the plastics industry.