New Jersey kicks off 15th year of plastic film recycling

The N.J. Dept. of Agriculture’s year-round nursery and greenhouse film recycling program is entering its 15th year. Since the program began in 1997, the state’s growers have recycled 7.8 million pounds of used film. During 2010, 725,980 pounds of film were recycled.
“As New Jersey growers prepare for spring, they have an opportunity to recycle the plastic film covering their greenhouses and hoop houses, saving them more than 40% off of their disposal costs if the materials were landfilled,” said N.J. Secretary of Agriculture Douglas Fisher. “We are proud to have a successful agricultural recycling program, which keeps these plastics out of the waste stream, provides a source for manufacturers using recycled content, saves natural resources and reduces reliance on landfills.”
Both white and clear nursery film and clear multi-season (2-, 3- and 4-year) greenhouse covers can be recycled. Film must be free of lathing, staples and saran. Loads containing other agricultural plastics, such as bags, mulch film, shrink film, stretch film, drip irrigation or ground cover film, will be rejected at the collection sites.
Vehicles used to transport greenhouse and nursery film intra or interstate are not required to be licensed by the N.J. Dept. of Environmental Protection as long as the used film is transported directly to one of the two collection sites participating in the state’s film recycling program.
The Department also offers year-round drip irrigation tape recycling, seasonal plastic pesticide container recycling and information on nursery pots, plastic flats, trays, and cell packs recycling.

Pictured: Since New Jersey’s greenhouse film recycling program began in 1997, the state’s growers have recycled 7.8 million pounds of used film.
Photo courtesy of N.J. Dept. of Agriculture