Plastic films are used extensively for silo bags, bunker covers, bale wraps, and horticultural mulch. Managing large, dirty plastic sheets is a major headache and cost for Wisconsin farmers. Until recently, the only legal disposal option for most farmers was landfilling. These plastic films, once largely unusable resources, can now be recycled into other plastic products.
Some communities are exploring ways to create local collection and/or baling sites, commonly located at landfills and solid waste transfer stations. In a few cases, plastic processors offer on-farm pickup services to facilitate easier recycling. Some processors or counties may require plastic to be managed in certain ways and delivered at certain times of the year. To determine the available options and relevant requirements in your area, contact your UW-Extension, Land Conservation Department, or SolidWaste/Recycling Department offices.
This publication reviews practices farmers can use to efficiently manage used plastic films. The general goal of such practices is to keep plastic as clean and dry as possible to maximize recycling opportunities.
- Minimize plastic waste. Reduce waste by purchasing the right size silo bag or silage cover for your needs.
- Minimize plastic contamination. Locating silo bags on concrete or asphalt pads keeps bags clean, allowing entire bag – top and bottom – to be easily recycled. A gravel base is less expensive, but grit and debris can adhere to the plastic. Soil bases lead to the greatest contamination of plastic. If bags must be placed on soil, use higher elevation sites with good drainage. Avoid removing silage when soils are wet. If the plastic is dirty, let it dry and then shake it with a bucket loader to remove soil and make it more suitable for recycling.
- Remove the plastic film from silos frequently. Removing less than three days’ accumulation of top silage film at a time maximizes silage protection and keeps the size of plastic sheets small enough to be easily handled.
- Cut the plastic to keep it manageable. For silo bags located on soil, separate the top plastic from the bottom plastic by cutting the plastic from the top down to four inches above ground (see illustration). Slice the bottom plastic at 10- or 15-foot intervals for greater manageability.
A number of low-cost plastic containment pens can be constructed using plastic fencing, hog or beef panels, or pallet bins.
6. Transport the plastic to a collection center. Use a dumpster, roll-off box, farm truck, or wagon to haul the plastic to the recycling collection center. Secure the plastic to prevent blowing. Large vehicles with densely-packed plastic provide the most efficient transportation.