Ron Goldy¹ and Steve Evans^2
1Southwest Michigan Research and Extension Center
1791 Hillandale Road, Benton Harbor, MI 49022
²311 Agriculture Hall, Michigan State University, East Lansing, MI 48824

Keywords: plastic removal, plastic disposal, plastic recycling

Abstract: Production of fresh vegetables on raised, plastic-mulched beds with drip irrigation is standard practice in most vegetable growing areas.  Plastic mulch and drip tape are used for one or more seasons or crops, and then removed before the soil is reworked.  Removal and disposal is labor intensive and costly.  For disposal, Michigan growers presently utilize construction dumpsters at a cost of $350 each.  Each dumpster holds approximately 25 acres of 4’ wide, 1mil thick plastic mulch and drip tape, for a disposal cost of $14/acre.  To reduce these costs a technique to bale and transport plastic was developed using readily available, round hay balers with few modifications.  A 4’ by 4’ round bale was found to hold approximately 3 acres of plastic and drip tape.  The bales had a disposal cost of $19 each in 2001, or about $6/acre.  Growers utilizing existing farm equipment can easily handle the bales and transport them to landfill sites.  They also provide the possibility of economic transport for eventual recycling efforts.  Managers of landfill sites preferred the plastic in bale form since it keeps its shape after it is unloaded.

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