bagMUSTER is Australia’s first not-for-profit, genuine collection and recycling program for soft plastic agricultural input bags.

See the website for more details.

bagMUSTER is an industry-led, not-for-profit initiative dedicated to tackling the issue of single-use plastic bag waste in Australian agriculture. Operated by Agsafe, the program provides a structured and sustainable solution for collecting and recycling agricultural plastic bags, specifically single-use woven polypropylene (PP) bags used for products such as fertilisers, seeds, grain, stock feed, and pet food. The mission of bagMUSTER is to promote responsible waste disposal, reduce on-farm plastic waste, and support product stewardship within the agricultural community. ​bagMUSTER+9bagMUSTER+9bagMUSTER+9

Program Launch

Officially launched in early 2025, bagMUSTER began its operations with collection sites across Western Victoria, chosen for their established recycling infrastructure. This strategic selection ensures that 100% of the collected bags are responsibly recycled within Australia, fostering a genuine circular economy for agricultural plastics. As the program progresses, plans are underway for Phase 2, which aims to expand bagMUSTER into other states, working towards nationwide access to sustainable agricultural plastic recycling. ​bagMUSTER+4bagMUSTER+4bagMUSTER+4

How the Program Works

Participation in bagMUSTER is designed to be straightforward, making the recycling process accessible for farmers and growers across Australia. The program operates through the following steps:​bagMUSTER+9bagMUSTER+9bagMUSTER+9

1. Purchase Eligible Bags: Farmers and growers purchase single-use woven PP bags from participating retailers. Only bags sold through these retailers and purchased after 1 October 2024 are eligible for recycling through bagMUSTER. ​bagMUSTER+7bagMUSTER+7bagMUSTER+7
2. Prepare Bags: Before recycling, it’s essential to ensure all bags are clean, empty, and free of non-PP liners. This involves shaking out any residue, removing liners, and neatly folding or rolling the bags to facilitate handling. ​bagMUSTER+9bagMUSTER+9bagMUSTER+9
3. Collect and Store: After using the contents, the empty bags should be collected and stored in a sheltered area to keep them dry and prevent contamination by mud, water, or other materials. ​bagMUSTER
4. Register Bags: When ready to recycle, participants must register the bags they wish to recycle through the bagMUSTER registration page. This registration is crucial for tracking each bag’s lifecycle and provides compliance certificates to support end-users’ Quality Assurance (QA) programs. ​bagMUSTER+7bagMUSTER+7bagMUSTER+7
5. Drop Off: Registered bags can then be taken to the nearest bagMUSTER collection site. Upon arrival, participants present their registration confirmation to complete the process. ​bagMUSTER+1bagMUSTER+1
6. Processing and Recycling: The collected bags are sent to Australian recyclers, ensuring they are responsibly processed and repurposed into new products, such as fence posts, planter boxes, pipes, and other durable items. ​bagMUSTER+9bagMUSTER+9bagMUSTER+9

Partnership Opportunities

bagMUSTER invites forward-thinking retailers and manufacturers to join as partners in Australia’s first industry-led, not-for-profit collection and recycling program for soft plastic agricultural input bags. Even if the program is not yet operating in certain areas, joining now helps drive demand and expansion plans, ensuring broader reach across Australia in the future. ​bagMUSTER+9bagMUSTER+9bagMUSTER+9

Benefits of Partnership

Partnering with bagMUSTER offers several advantages:​bagMUSTER+7bagMUSTER+7bagMUSTER+7

• Support Sustainability Goals: Partners actively contribute to reducing plastic waste on Australian farms. The program ensures that 100% of eligible bags collected are recycled in Australia, advancing sustainability goals and supporting a circular economy within the agricultural sector. ​bagMUSTER+2bagMUSTER+2bagMUSTER+2
• Enhance Brand Reputation: Aligning with bagMUSTER allows partners to demonstrate leadership in sustainability. Customers increasingly value businesses that prioritize environmental responsibility, and participation in this industry-led initiative reinforces a commitment to a cleaner, greener future. ​bagMUSTER
• Meet Regulatory Expectations: With increasing regulations around plastic waste and sustainability reporting, partnering with bagMUSTER helps businesses stay ahead of compliance requirements. Transparent tracking and reporting make it easier for partners to meet environmental obligations. ​

Eligible Bags and Participating Retailers

The program focuses on single-use woven polypropylene bags used for products like fertiliser, seed, grain, stock feed, and pet food. To participate, bags must be purchased from participating retailers after 1 October 2024. Participating retailers in the first phase include Elders, Muirs, Nutrien Ag Solutions, and Platinum Ag Services, with specific locations listed on the bagMUSTER website. ​bagMUSTER+4bagMUSTER+4bagMUSTER+4bagMUSTER

Collection Sites

In its initial phase, bagMUSTER has established collection sites across Western Victoria, with plans to add more sites as the program expands. These sites began operating from January 2025. As bagMUSTER grows, additional collection sites will be added across Victoria and eventually nationwide. Participants are encouraged to check the bagMUSTER website for updates on new locations. ​bagMUSTER+3bagMUSTER+3bagMUSTER+3

Bag Preparation Guidelines

Proper preparation of bags is crucial to ensure efficient recycling and smooth operations at bagMUSTER collection sites. Participants are advised to confirm the eligibility of their bags, ensure they are clean and empty, remove non-polypropylene liners and labels, and neatly roll or fold the bags before drop-off. Following these steps helps streamline the recycling process and contributes to a more sustainable agricultural future. ​bagMUSTER+9bagMUSTER+9bagMUSTER+9

Contact Information

For more information or to get in touch with bagMUSTER, interested parties can contact the program via email at bagMUSTER@agsafe.org.au or by phone at 02 6206 6888. Additionally, individuals can sign up on the bagMUSTER website to receive updates, including new collection sites, program milestones, and sustainability insights directly in their inbox.