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 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 are operating.

Processed and recycled

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

Become a bagMUSTER 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 will stand at the forefront of a national, not-for-profit initiative dedicated to responsible plastic waste management and sustainability.

Why become a bagMUSTER partner?

Support sustainability goals

By partnering with bagMUSTER, you actively contribute to reducing plastic waste on Australian farms. The program ensures that 100% of eligible bags collected are recycled within Australia, advancing sustainability goals and promoting a circular economy within the agricultural sector.

Enhance brand reputation

Aligning with bagMUSTER allows partners to showcase their commitment to environmental responsibility. Customers increasingly value businesses that prioritise sustainability, and your participation in this industry-led initiative highlights your dedication to creating a cleaner, greener future.

Meet regulatory expectations

With increasing regulations around plastic waste and sustainability reporting, partnering with bagMUSTER helps businesses stay ahead of compliance requirements. The program provides transparent tracking and reporting on bag collection and recycling, making it easier for partners to meet their environmental obligations.

Provide a valuable service to customers

Participating retailers offer customers a convenient, responsible solution for disposing of single-use polypropylene (PP) bags. By facilitating recycling, you enhance the customer experience while supporting sustainable practices.

Access marketing and communication resources

Partners benefit from bagMUSTER’s suite of promotional materials, including media kits, posters, and social media templates. These resources make it simple to communicate your involvement in the program and educate customers on how to participate.

Contribute to a greener future

Your partnership helps drive meaningful change in the agricultural industry by supporting the recycling of PP bags used for fertilisers, seeds, grain, stock feed, and pet food. This impact extends beyond environmental benefits, helping to build a more sustainable agricultural sector for future generations.

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.

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