Davin Johnson to lead recycling and stewardship programs across Western Canada
Cleanfarms has announced the appointment of Davin Johnson as its new Director of Western Canada. Johnson steps into the role with extensive experience in agricultural recycling, stewardship programs, and farm sustainability initiatives. His appointment reflects the organization's commitment to expanding environmental programs that help farmers manage agricultural waste responsibly.
Johnson has been involved with Cleanfarms for many years and has gained valuable experience through various roles. His journey with the organization began in 2015 when he worked as a site supervisor for collection programs focused on unwanted pesticides and livestock medications.
Through these efforts, he supported farmers by helping ensure safe disposal and responsible management of agricultural products.
Over the following years, Johnson continued to contribute to several collection initiatives across Western Canada. His work helped strengthen relationships with producers and industry partners while supporting the growth of recycling and stewardship activities in rural communities.
In 2019, Johnson played an important role in the development of an agricultural plastics recycling pilot project in Alberta. The initiative helped establish a framework for collecting and recycling agricultural plastics, providing farmers with practical options for managing farm waste. The project also demonstrated how collaboration between industry, government, municipalities, and recyclers can create successful environmental programs.
Johnson officially joined Cleanfarms as a full-time employee in January 2020 as Alberta Program Advisor. In this position, he led stewardship and recycling programs throughout Alberta while working closely with a wide range of stakeholders. These included farmers, municipal leaders, government agencies, recyclers, agricultural retailers, and industry organizations.
During his tenure, Johnson helped advance agricultural recycling programs and supported efforts to expand environmental initiatives beyond Alberta. His leadership contributed to the development of practical solutions for managing agricultural waste and improving sustainability on farms.
As Director of Western Canada, Johnson will be responsible for overseeing Cleanfarms' programs throughout the western provinces. His role will include supporting program growth, encouraging innovation, and identifying new opportunities to improve access to agricultural recycling services for farmers.
“Resilience is synonymous with Western Canada. We’ve seen that firsthand through the success and growth of our programs. The hard work and commitment of our team, along with the support of farmers, retailers, rural municipalities, recyclers, and our member companies, has created a strong foundation to build on,” said Johnson.
He added, “As Western Director, I look forward to helping grow and strengthen our stewardship programs, supporting innovation, and pursuing new opportunities to make agricultural recycling more accessible for farmers across the region.”
Cleanfarms Executive Director Shane Hedderson welcomed Johnson’s appointment and highlighted his years of experience with the organization. Hedderson noted that Johnson has demonstrated a strong commitment to developing solutions that help farmers responsibly manage agricultural waste.
“Having worked with Davin since he first joined Cleanfarms, Director of Western Canada is an obvious fit. His commitment to forging new paths for Western Canadian farmers to participate in sustainable waste management will be a valuable asset in this role,” said Shane Hedderson, Cleanfarms Executive Director and former Director of Western Canada.
The appointment comes at a time when sustainability remains a growing priority within agriculture. Farmers are increasingly looking for reliable ways to recycle materials and reduce waste while maintaining productive operations. Organizations such as Cleanfarms play an important role in providing programs that make responsible waste management both practical and accessible.
Agricultural recycling programs help keep waste out of landfills and support environmental stewardship efforts in farming communities. These programs also encourage cooperation among producers, governments, industry groups, and recyclers to develop solutions that benefit both agriculture and the environment.
With Johnson leading operations in Western Canada, Cleanfarms aims to continue expanding its stewardship initiatives and increasing participation in recycling programs. His experience, industry knowledge, and long-standing involvement with the organization are expected to help guide future growth and strengthen environmental programs across the western provinces.
As agricultural sustainability continues to evolve, the organization remains focused on supporting farmers with practical tools and services that promote responsible waste management. Johnson’s leadership will help advance this mission while creating new opportunities for innovation and collaboration throughout Western Canada's agricultural sector.
Photo Credit: Cleanfarms