From silage film to parlor chemical totes and bale wrap to crop protection jugs, plastic has become a staple of modern dairy production.
But with its convenience comes the challenge of what to do with all that waste after plastic has served its purpose. It is estimated that agriculture in the United States uses more than 800 million pounds of plastic annually.
At the dairy level, the Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources estimates that 15-20 pounds of plastic are used per cow every year in the state. A 300-cow dairy that uses plastic silage bags may produce as much as 6,000 pounds of waste plastic per year.
All that plastic is not only messy and unsightly, but also represents an environmental burden in an era when dairies are being increasingly charged to pursue sustainability. Three options for farm plastic recycling include:
(1) The Agriculture Container Research Council, which operates in in 46 states collecting and recycling agricultural crop protection, animal health, fertilizer, and pest control containers like jugs and drums. The plastic is converted into resin pellets that are repurposed into a wide range of products including agricultural drain pipes, pallets, landscape edging and conduit.
(2) The Recycling Association of Minnesota has organized recycling hubs throughout the state that accept silage bags, grain bags, and bunker cover. Their interactive website provides hub locations and recycling center contact information for various regions of the state.
(3) Revolution® is a manufacturer of silage and grain bags and bunker sheeting that provided free pick up and recycling of its products throughout much of the Midwest and California. Using its unique “Push for Pick Up” mobile app, dairy managers can request pick up of pre-loaded dumpsters, and Revolution will arrange for pick-up within 21 calendar days. The films are then recycled into new plastic products including agricultural materials, trash bags, and grocery bags.
It is helpful if one person on the dairy is charged with overseeing plastic disposal and recycling. The University of Wisconsin Cooperative Extension service has issued a bulletin providing guidance on recycling silo bags and other agricultural plastic films.
