Silage wrap recycling program coming to PEI

2012-02-06

The Island Waste Management Corporation (IWMC) has introduced a new pilot program to help Prince Edward Island (P.E.I.) farmers recycle silage wrap - a wrapping material used to protect bales of hay from weather and to ferment silage for livestock fodder.

P.E.I. farmers produce a significant amount of used silage wrap each year. Over the past several years, there have been a number of attempts to recycle the material, but markets were difficult to secure due to a lack of effective silage wrap cleaning technologies in the province, IWMC Disposal Manager Heather Myers told EcoLog News.

However, those markets have improved slightly as there are now technologies available that can partially clean silage wrap, prompting the IWMC to launch the pilot program, said Myers.

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.

Farmers can drop off their used silage wrap, at no cost, at any of the IWMC's Waste Watch Drop-Off Centers in Brockton, Wellington Centre, New London, Dingwells Mills, and Murray River, as well as the GreenIsle recycling depot in Charlottetown.

Before dropping off their used silage wrap, farmers must ensure that the material is clean and free of contaminants, such as string, excessive clay, sod, rocks, and other material.

Silage wrap contaminated with excessive mud, silage and other materials will be subject to disposal fees of $115 per tonne.

For more information on the silage wrap recycling program, visit www.iwmc.pe.ca.

(Source: www.solidwastemag.com This news item first appeared in EcoLog News (2/3/12).)

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