Recycling on the Farm

Recycling on the Farm

you might be surprised to learn how much more closely many farms resemble a materials hauler rather than the home of Old MacDonald that many still imagine. While organic farms are able to compost much of what they use, since a large portion of it will be generated on-farm, the vast majority of acreage in North America is still "conventionally" tended, meaning that a great deal of solid waste is also associated with the process.

Plastic bags and sheeting are a very commonly produced product that can be difficult to recycle. In the 'aughts, several West Coast firms have sprung up to collect agricultural plastic by the ton. Another common waste item found on farms are the barrels and buckets with pesticides and toxic concentrations of fertilizers. These containers are classified as hazardous waste even when they're empty, and are usually incinerated at special facilities.

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