With over 6,000 farms across the state, agricultural plastic disposal is a major concern for many Vermonters. Plastic products such as bale wrap, maple tubing, bunker cover, drip tape, polycarbonate spouts, and mulch are a necessity for producers across the state, and options for disposal are limited. Vermont dairy farms generate about 500 tons of plastic annually from the film used for bale wrap, bunker cover, and more. In addition to the plastic waste generated by dairy farms, beef farms use about 77 tons of plastics annually and syrup producers generate over 160 tons of used maple tubing each year. Many of these plastic products end up in the landfill at a cost to farmers. Luckily, NWSWD is dedicated to offering disposal alternatives. Visit our Fees page for more info!
As of April 2021, Polycarbonate Spouts are now accepted at the Georgia Recycling Facility! Read our recent press release to learn more.
How is agricultural plastic recycled?
Agricultural plastic products currently accepted in NWSWD’s program are shipped to several processing facilities across the country: Delta Plastics in Arkansas, New Hope Energy in Texas (in trial stage), Prima America in New Hampshire, and JTR Plastics Recycling in Pennsylvania. Depending on the facility, plastics are processed and converted into fuels, post-consumer resins, and new plastic products.