A new pilot program is being introduced by the Island Waste Management Corporation (IWMC) to help farmers easily and efficiently recycle used silage wrap.
Silage wrap can be recycled into a wide range of plastic products including buoys, boat bumpers and plastic lumber, and is used in the manufacturing process for composite flooring.
“By recycling this material, farmers are provided with a low-cost disposal solution, while improving the environment by minimizing the need to send plastic waste to landfill," said Transportation and Infrastructure Renewal Minister Robert Vessey. "Recycling this wrap will help ensure this valuable product is used in a sustainable way.”
The agricultural community produces a significant amount of used silage wrap each year on Prince Edward Island. Over the past several years, there have been a number of attempts to recycle the material but markets were difficult to secure.
Those markets have improved and that prompted IWMC to launch the pilot program.
Farmers may take half ton truck loads at no cost to any of IWMC’s Waste Watch Drop-Off Centers located in Brockton, Wellington Centre, New London, Dingwells Mills, Murray River and the GreenIsle recycling depot in Charlottetown. In order for silage wrap to be recycled, it is important that this material be reasonably clean and free of contaminants such as string, excessive clay, sod, rocks and other material. Transporting clean, properly prepared wrap to the recycling market will ensure its long-term success.
“This pilot program is an excellent solution to a problem that has existed for a number of years,” says Agriculture and Forestry Minister George Webster. “Having less used silage wrap on Island farms and more being properly disposed of at drop-off centres across the province is a win-win for everyone i nvolved.”
IWMC is encouraging farmers to get involved by shaking the plastic wrap to remove as many contaminants as possible when the silage is first unwrapped, and to store the material where it can remain dry. Silage wrap contaminated with excessive mud, silage and other materials will be subject to disposal fees. Farming operations with stockpiles or those having large volumes of wrap to dispose of should contact IWMC to make special arrangements.
For more information on silage recycling, contact Island Waste Management Corporation, www.iwmc.pe.ca.
You can stop buying the ones packaged in styrofoam. there ae others on the shelf. That might be a start.