Responsibly dispose of agricultural plastic bags with bagMUSTER

Welcome to bagMUSTER, an industry-led, not-for-profit program dedicated to tackling single-use plastic bag waste in Australian agriculture. Operated by Agsafe, bagMUSTER provides a structured and sustainable approach to collecting and recycling agricultural plastic bags, specifically single-use polypropylene (PP) bags commonly used for fertilisers, seeds, grain, stock feed, and pet food. Our mission is to promote responsible waste disposal, reduce on-farm plastic waste, and support product stewardship within the agricultural community.

Phase 1 of bagMUSTER launches in early 2025, focused on collection sites across Western Victoria. This region has been chosen to kickstart the program due to established recycling infrastructure, ensuring 100% of the collected bags are responsibly recycled. We’re excited to expand nationally as the program grows, so stay tuned for updates on Phase 2, which will bring bagMUSTER to more regions across Victoria and eventually to other states.

How the program works

Participating in bagMUSTER is straightforward and designed to make the recycling process easy and accessible for farmers and growers across Australia. Here’s how it works.

Purchase bags

Farmers and growers purchase eligible bags from participating retailers. Only bags sold through participating retailers and purchased after 1 October 2024 are eligible for recycling through bagMUSTER.

Prepare bags

Before recycling, ensure all bags are clean, empty, and free of non-PP liners. Bags should be shaken out, liners removed, and neatly folded, rolled, or baled to make them easier to handle.

Collect and store

After using the contents of the bags, you should collect and store the empty bags until you are ready to recycle them. Bags should be kept dry and stored in a sheltered area to prevent contamination by mud, water, or other materials.

Drop off

Take your registered bags to your nearest bagMUSTER collection site. Upon arrival, present your registration confirmation to complete the process.

When you're ready to recycle, visit our registration page to register the bags you wish to recycle. Registration is essential for tracking each bag's lifecycle and provides compliance certificates to support end-users' QA programs.

Registration will be available once collection sites open in January 2025.

Processed and recycled

The bags are then sent for recycling, ensuring that they are responsibly processed and repurposed into new products.

Become a bagMUSTER foundational partner

The agricultural industry is ready for change, and we’re inviting forward-thinking retailers and manufacturers to lead the way with us. Anyone who joins bagMUSTER before 31 December 2024 will become a foundational partner, and stand at the forefront of a national, not-for-profit initiative dedicated to responsible plastic waste management and sustainability.

Why become a foundational partner?

As a foundational partner, you’ll enjoy exclusive benefits that highlight your commitment to sustainable practices in agriculture.

Visibility and recognition: Your brand will be prominently featured on our website and in program materials, positioning you as an industry leader in product stewardship.

Exclusive co-branding opportunities: Enjoy exclusive co-branding options, showcasing your commitment to sustainability on all promotional platforms.

Pioneering environmental impact: By joining bagMUSTER early, you’ll be recognised as a pioneer in reducing agricultural plastic waste, contributing to a cleaner, greener future for the industry.

This is a limited opportunity to make a significant impact from the ground up. By becoming a foundational partner, you’re not only supporting an industry-led solution to agricultural plastic waste but also taking a proactive step in aligning with sustainability targets and preparing for future regulatory requirements.

Keep up to date with the latest bagMUSTER news!

As we expand our collection network and roll out new program phases, you’ll want to stay in the loop.

Sign up with your email to receive updates, including new collection sites, program milestones, and sustainability insights directly in your inbox.