John Wilhoit, Extension Associate Professor Biosystems and Agricultural Engineering Department University of Kentucky Lexington, KY 40546-0276

Abstract: There is a substantial amount of film plastic used in the agricultural industry. This plastic, which is low density polyethylene, or LDPE, can be recycled, and some products are being manufactured that use it. There are significant challenges to collecting and recycling agricultural film plastics, especially related to efficient handling and how dirty it is. Some states have attempted programs collecting agricultural film plastics, with mixed results. The challenges are especially great for black plastic mulch, which is used extensively in vegetable production. A great deal of work is required to retrieve the mulch plastic at the end of the season, and because it is so dirty, it has proved unacceptable for recycling. The black color is an additional constraint to recycling. Yet if these plastics are not recycled or utilized some other way, they are likely to be improperly disposed of or burned on the farm. And even if they are properly disposed of in a landfill, that comes at considerable cost and effort. Improvements are needed to make retrieval more efficient and to collect the mulch with less dirt. As dirty as plastic mulch is, burning it for its considerable fuel value may be the most promising option. Finding way to utilize black plastic mulch by recycling or using it for fuel will be critical to making the use of plastic mulch in vegetable production a more sustainable practice.

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