THE big interest in grain storage bags in Victoria has prompted an emerging environmental waste problem.
Used storage bags have ended up in landfill or are burned on farmers' properties.
But a group comprising rural councils, waste management groups and a merchandising firm are developing a more environmentally friendly disposal option for grain growers.
The group is piloting a program where farmers compress the used grain bags with a wool press and deliver them to central disposal points in the Wimmera before they are sent to Melbourne to be recycled into industrial plastic film.
There is potential for the bags to end up back in grain storages as the wrapping used in grain bunkers.
Partners in developing the recycling project are storage-bag distributor Carine's Merchandise at Horsham, the Yarriambiack and Hindmarsh shires and the Grampians and Desert Fringe regional waste management groups.
Andrew Carine, of Carine's Merchandise, said the project partners wanted to give farmers an option for disposal of used grain bags.
"And from an industry point of view, we want to be seen to be responsible," Mr Carine said.
"No one wants to see plastic pile up on a farm then burned."
Grampians Regional Waste Management Group executive officer Andy Race said the system was still in its infancy, with many glitches to be sorted out.
"Once it is well established, we are hoping to expand the system to accept more varieties of plastic and cover a wider area," Mr Race said.
Growers must ensure their used grain bags were shaken free of grain, grass and dirt.
They should be compressed and tied before delivering them to collection points.
So far, bags can be dropped off at the Nhill Transfer Station, any Yarriambiack Shire transfer station or Carine's Merchandise in Golf Course Rd, Horsham.
Other collection points can be arranged by phoning Mr Carine on (03) 5382 1427.
