Post Event Review: WCCD's Agricultural Plastics Collection Event

Through the Transition to Organic Partnership Program (TOPP), the WCCD held its first agricultural plastics recycling collection event on April 13, 2026. Farming is widespread in Washtenaw County, and while agricultural plastics are essential to farm operations, disposal options in the region remain limited. As a result, these materials often accumulate on farms until producers are able to rent a dumpster or, in some cases, resort to burning them. Through this initiative, we aimed to begin building a more permanent system where farmers can conveniently drop off agricultural plastics to be recycled and returned to reliable manufacturing streams.

We began planning this event with a broad list of commonly used agricultural plastics that we hoped to recycle, with greenhouse film and drip tape among our highest priorities. However, due to limited recycling processing in our region and limited Materials Recovery Facilities (MRF) willing to collect this kind of material, we were only able to find end markets for bale cover, silage tarp, pallet stretch wrap, and certain pots and trays.

Farmers from across the area brought in their materials, highlighting a clear and growing need in the community for this type of recycling service. In total, the event collected 1,549 pounds of agricultural plastics that will now be diverted from landfills and returned to manufacturing streams. Of that total, 517 pounds consisted of horticultural pots and trays that will be recycled into new pots, while 1,032 pounds were silage tarp and bale cover.

Planning the event required building partnerships with organizations already working in agricultural plastics recycling. WCCD partnered with Sunfield Recycling Center, one of the only facilities in the region currently handling bale cover and silage tarp, as well as East Jordan Plastics, which operates a closed loop recycling system that turns used horticultural plastics into new pots and trays.

The WCCD is continuing to explore partnerships and opportunities to expand future collections and improve the overall feasibility of the program. Establishing a relationship with a local MRF or another facility equipped with a baler and willing to stockpile materials would be a significant step forward in strengthening and scaling this effort. The WCCD would like to thank the Washtenaw Food Hub for letting us host the event in their parking lot, and everyone else who participated, helped spread the word, and supported the event. We are excited to continue our work looking for recycling solutions for agricultural plastics for our county.