Elders and bagMUSTER have today forged a partnership to propel the reduction of single-use plastic in Australian agriculture.
At a glance:
- Elders has joined Agsafe as foundational partner of the BagMuster program
- The program is launching its first phase in Western Victoria offering local farmers solution for recycling single-use polypropylene (PP) bags.
- A small event was held in Ballarat by BagMuster this week to launch the initiative.
At the bagMUSTER launch event, L to R: Alicia Garden, GM - Agsafe, Matthew Cossey, CEO - CropLife Australia, Katherine Delbridge, CEO - Australian Seed Federation, and Tim March, President - ASF board.
Elders has officially joined the bagMUSTER program as a foundational partner to support reduction of single-use polypropylene (PP) plastic bags in agriculture. bagMUSTER is an industry-led recycling initiative, operated by Agsafe, designed to address the growing issue of single-use plastic waste in agriculture.
The program is launching its first phase in Western Victoria, providing farmers and growers in this region with an easy and environmentally friendly solution for recycling single-use polypropylene (PP) bags.
These bags, commonly used for products like fertilisers, seed, grain, stock feed, and pet food, are collected and recycled into new products, keeping them out of landfills and reducing plastic waste.
As a foundational partner, joining bagMUSTER represents Elders’ commitment to its ambition of being a leader in sustainability in agriculture.
By supporting this program from its inception, Elders intends to help lead the movement to reduce plastic waste, offering customers a responsible recycling solution.
Executive General Manager Strategy, Sustainability and Innovation, Anna Bennett, said “Elders’ work with bagMUSTER is an important building block within Elders’ waste policy and strategy, and contributes positively to the progress of our overall sustainability objectives.
We hope to continue this roll out across our national network to improve farmer access to recycling facilities and opportunities to lessen agriculture’s environmental footprint across Australia.”
Executive General Manager Nick Fazekas said the initiative is a great example of an industry-led solution to a major industry challenge.
“Post-consumer waste management is one of the most significant challenges we have identified in the Rural Products division, when considering how we can best achieve our sustainability ambitions,” said Mr Fazekas.
“This roll out is a great step, for Elders and our clients, to practically implement a recycling solution with meaningful environmental outcomes.”
The bagMUSTER team welcomed Elders as a foundational partner at a small event in Ballarat this week.
From now on, Elders Ballarat, Elders Bendigo, Elders Mildura, Elders Swan Hill, Elders Wycheproof, Elders Kyneton, Elders Ouyen, and Elders Robinvale are available as participating retailers.
For more information about how the program works, where to find collection sites, and how producers can participate, visit the bagMuster website.