Media Release - bagMUSTER

The Hygain Group Expands Sustainability Efforts with Plastic Recycling Program

The Hygain Group (THG), Australia’s leading equine feed manufacturer, has expanded its environmental initiatives with a new partnership to improve feed bag recycling.

As part of its ongoing commitment to sustainability, THG through its Hygain and Mitavite feed brands, has joined forces with bagMUSTER, an industry-led initiative helping the agricultural sector responsibly manage single-use polypropylene (PP) plastic bags. Through the program, THG will recycle 20 kg and bulka woven polypropylene bags from its Victorian feed mill.

Bags are collected and recycled through bagMUSTER’s growing national network and processed using mechanical and advanced recycling technologies to create new plastic products. Wherever possible, bags are transformed into items such as fence posts, pipes, and planter boxes, keeping them out of landfill and supporting a circular economy. In areas where recycling infrastructure is still developing, other recovery methods ensure bags are responsibly managed.

bagMUSTER has already completed two successful fee-for-service collections with THG, recycling a total of 30.54 tonnes of material. THG estimates this partnership will divert approximately 45 tonnes of plastic from landfill each year.

In addition, customers can recycle empty Hygain and Mitavite feed bags through bagMUSTER collection sites. All Hygain and Mitavite bags are eligible for recycling and carry the PP5 polypropylene symbol. At present, collection sites are primarily located in Victoria, with the network expanding rapidly into other regions. Customers can find the most up-to-date list of bagMUSTER collection locations at https://www.bagmuster.org.au/collection-sites.

The plastic recycling initiative forms part of THG’s broader sustainability strategy. Since 2019, the company has:

• Installed large-scale solar arrays at its Victorian facility, generating over 555,000 kWh of renewable energy annually—enough to power more than 90 average Australian homes each year.
•  Implemented comprehensive operational waste reduction programs across manufacturing sites, achieving greater than 45 percent reduction in waste to landfill in 2025 compared with 2024.
• Introduced packaging containing 30 percent recycled plastic, expected to reduce virgin plastic use by around 118 tonnes each year.
• Trialled cardboard packaging solutions to minimise the use of 500 kg polypropylene bags in downstream operations.
•  Invested in sustainability infrastructure for internal operations, predicted to eliminate a further 12.7 tonnes of plastic annually.
• Joined the Australian Packaging Covenant Organisation as a member, with annual packaging reporting and action plan submissions. Hygain’s performance is rated ‘Leading’ under APCO’s national sustainability framework.

THG Chief Executive Officer Peter Weaver said it was a key priority for the company to continue to reduce its environmental impact.

“We understand the importance of taking real, measurable steps toward a more sustainable future,” Mr Weaver said. “Our customers trust us not only to fuel their horses’ performance, but also to lead responsibly and we take that seriously.”

THG’s partnership with bagMUSTER is the latest step in the company’s long-term commitment to reducing its environmental footprint and supporting more sustainable practices across the equine industry. By continuing to invest in recycling, clean energy and waste reduction, THG is helping to drive positive change for future generations of horse owners.