From Farm to Boardroom: A New Voice for Ag Plastic Recycling

ETOBICOKE, ON – January 15, 2026 – Cleanfarms, Canada's leading agricultural stewardship organization, has appointed veteran Manitoba producer Bob Lepischak to its Board of Directors, a strategic move signaling a deeper commitment to integrating farmer-led solutions into the national effort to manage agricultural plastic waste.

Mr. Lepischak, a grain, oilseed, and beef producer from Neepawa, Manitoba, brings decades of on-the-ground experience and a formidable governance background to the organization. His appointment, which took effect in late 2025, is seen as a critical step in bridging the gap between national environmental policy and the day-to-day realities faced by farmers, particularly in Western Canada's vast grain-producing heartland.

The Scale of the Challenge: Canada's Agricultural Plastics Dilemma

Modern agriculture relies heavily on plastics for efficiency and productivity. From the large white grain bags that dot prairie landscapes to the twine that binds bales, and the containers for seeds and crop protection products, plastics are an indispensable tool. However, their disposal presents a significant and growing environmental and logistical challenge. Annually, Canadian farms generate an estimated 62,000 metric tons of plastic waste, a mountain of material that requires a coordinated and effective management strategy.

Historically, disposal options for farmers have been limited, often leading to on-farm burial, burning, or landfilling—outcomes that are economically inefficient and environmentally detrimental. Recognizing this, the agricultural industry has been moving toward more sustainable solutions, a mission that lies at the core of Cleanfarms' work.

"Plastics are valuable in the business of farming – there’s no getting around it," Mr. Lepischak commented on his appointment. "And at the end of the day – when we’re finished with them, we don’t want them to go to landfills or wind up in the environment. I’m proud to add my voice to the Cleanfarms Board on behalf of growers so we can find solutions for them – not just for today – but for years to come."

His sentiment captures a growing consensus among producers: the need for practical, accessible, and economically viable recycling programs is no longer a niche concern but a mainstream operational priority.

A Producer's Perspective in the Boardroom

Bob Lepischak is more than just a farmer; he is a seasoned advocate for agricultural producers. His extensive experience in organizational governance includes directorships with the Grain Growers of Canada (GGC), the Prairie Oat Growers Association (POGA), and the Manitoba Oat Growers Association (MOGA). This background provides him with a deep understanding of the complex policy and operational issues impacting cereal and oilseed farmers across the nation.

This appointment is a deliberate move by Cleanfarms to ensure its strategies are grounded in the practical needs of the producers it serves. Boyd Bergstrom, Cleanfarms Board Chair, emphasized the value of this direct line to the farm gate.

"We are pleased to welcome Bob Lepischak to the Cleanfarms Board of Directors,” said Bergstrom. “Bob’s wide-ranging expertise as a producer with experience in grain-sector policy will strengthen our work, helping us deliver accessible, producer-driven stewardship solutions for the challenges ahead.”

Lepischak’s role is expected to be instrumental in shaping the expansion of programs for materials like grain bags and twine, which are particularly prevalent in his home region of Western Canada. His insights will help tailor collection logistics, communication strategies, and program designs to ensure high participation rates among farmers who are often constrained by time and resources.

Cleanfarms' Expanding Mission for a Circular Economy

What began in 1989 as a program to recycle small pesticide and fertilizer containers has evolved into a comprehensive, multi-material stewardship organization. Today, Cleanfarms operates over 1,500 collection sites nationwide, serving more than 190,000 farms and tackling a wide array of agricultural waste.

The organization's success is quantifiable. In 2024 alone, Cleanfarms recovered over 10 million kilograms of agricultural plastics and other materials. Its flagship program for small containers under 23 litres boasts an impressive 81% national average collection rate. The organization has also made significant inroads in managing more challenging materials. In Saskatchewan, where grain bag recycling is provincially regulated, the collection rate climbed to 69% in 2024. Manitoba has a similar regulated program for both grain bags and baler twine, a model that demonstrates the power of industry-government collaboration.

Cleanfarms' ambition, however, extends beyond simple collection. The organization is a champion for a circular economy in agriculture, working to ensure that recovered plastics are not just diverted from landfills but are remanufactured into new, useful products—some of which return to the farm in the form of fence posts, plastic lumber, and drainage tiles. In 2024, its container and grain bag recycling efforts prevented the equivalent of over 9.3 million kilograms of CO2 from entering the atmosphere.

Despite these successes, the organization acknowledges the work ahead. The 10 million kilograms collected represents a fraction—roughly 10-15%—of the total agricultural plastic waste generated annually. The organization's leadership has set an ambitious goal to increase that recovery rate to 50-60% within the next decade, with an ultimate vision of zero plastic waste in Canadian agriculture.

Bridging Policy and Practice for a Sustainable Future

Lepischak's dual role as a director for both Cleanfarms and the Grain Growers of Canada is particularly significant. The GGC is a powerful national voice for grain farmers, heavily involved in shaping federal policy on everything from trade to environmental sustainability. By sitting on both boards, Lepischak is uniquely positioned to help align high-level policy advocacy with the practical implementation of stewardship programs.

This synergy is crucial as Canada moves toward a more formalized framework for waste management, including the adoption of Extended Producer Responsibility (EPR) models. Provinces like Quebec and Prince Edward Island have already implemented EPR regulations for agricultural plastics, making producers and suppliers financially and operationally responsible for the end-of-life management of their products. Cleanfarms often acts as the producer responsibility organization (PRO) that implements these programs on behalf of its industry members.

As other provinces, including those in the West, consider similar regulations, having an experienced producer leader like Lepischak at the table ensures that new policies are designed to be effective and efficient for the farmers who must participate in them. His appointment reinforces Cleanfarms' commitment to a governance model that reflects the diversity of Canadian agriculture, ensuring that solutions are not imposed from the top down but are built from the ground up, with the full participation of the agricultural community.