Three Major Cash Prizes Still Available in Alberta's Agricultural Recycling Contest
The 2026 Great Twine Round-Up contest in Alberta continues to offer significant opportunities for farmers and agricultural enthusiasts, with three of four $3,000 cash prizes still up for grabs. The contest, which encourages the recycling of used plastic baler twine, has already awarded its first prize to the T&M 4-H Club following a random draw on March 4, 2026.
How to Participate in the Environmental Initiative
To enter the competition, participants must submit a photograph of their identified bag of twine at a designated Cleanfarms collection site through the official website greattwineroundup.ca. This straightforward process allows Alberta farmers to contribute to environmental sustainability while competing for substantial financial rewards that benefit their communities.
The contest represents part of the broader 'Alberta Ag-Plastic. Recycle It!' pilot program, which is led by the Alberta Plastics Recycling Group (APRG) and operated by Cleanfarms. This initiative builds on the success of the 2025 program that collected over 16,000 kilograms of used baler twine, demonstrating strong participation from the agricultural community.
Substantial Funding and Prize Distribution
With $12,000 in total prize money funded by the Government of Alberta and administered through Alberta Beef Producers, the competition offers meaningful financial support to agricultural organizations. Three of the $3,000 prizes will be awarded directly to winners' respective 4-H clubs, while the fourth prize category allows independent entrants to designate their winnings to an Alberta-based agricultural charity of their choice.
Barry Friesen, Executive Director of Cleanfarms, emphasized the program's impact, stating, "With over 660 entries in the first Great Twine Round-Up contest, we know Alberta farmers take pride in keeping their environment clean and the local agriculture industry sustainable. Together with APRG and the government of Alberta, we're glad to reward some of that hard work with opportunities to win cash prizes to support the community."
Community Engagement and Environmental Benefits
Sophie MacKenzie, leader of the T&M 4-H Club, expressed gratitude for the program's community benefits, saying, "We are happy to see Albertans of all ages working together to make a positive impact in their community by keeping used baler twine and other agricultural plastics out of the environment. We're grateful to those who participated in the contest on behalf of our club, and to Cleanfarms and APRG for providing the opportunity in support of Alberta's agriculture community."
Assar Grinde, APRG Chair, highlighted the contest's significance within broader agricultural sustainability efforts, noting, "The level of participation we've seen in this contest since it began is a testament to the importance of having access to sustainable solutions in agriculture. We're excited to see the compounding impact of the Great Twine Round-Up contest and other agricultural sustainability initiatives in Alberta."
Important Deadlines and Organizational Background
The contest will conclude on May 31, 2026, with the three remaining prize drawings scheduled for June 3, 2026. Participants are encouraged to visit GreatTwineRoundUp.ca for complete entry details and contest rules.
The Agricultural Plastics Recycling Group (APRG), formed in 2016, brings together commodity groups, retailers, municipalities, academic institutions, recyclers, and farmers to develop solutions for agricultural plastics. The organization is currently focused on transitioning the pilot program into a permanent initiative while exploring recycling solutions for additional agricultural plastics such as bale wrap and silage plastic.
Cleanfarms operates as an agricultural industry stewardship organization that recovers and recycles agricultural plastics, packaging, and related products. Funded by members across multiple agricultural sectors, the organization maintains staff in Alberta, Saskatchewan, Manitoba, Ontario, and Quebec to support its environmental mission.
