Matthew, Emily, Caroline Reducing Farm Waste Matthew, Emily, Caroline Lead into why we chose this project.. as it was mentioned at the recycling center, that the campus farms have a 0% recycling rate.

Americans produce ~32 million tons of plastic wastes each year Ag plastic wastes likely no more than 3 - 5%

Purpose Identify waste material Recommend steps to reduce Initiate conversation between farms and recycling center Look for alternative products

Process Selection of Farm Identification of waste material Testing

Agenda Establish a pick-up service for the plastics at the farm to be transported to the Recycling Center Meet with Beef Farm manager to gather possible supplies for recycling Test at Recycling Center

Feed/Seed Bags Initially we aimed our view to feed & seed bags Cardboard (Feed) and Polyester (Seed) However we found.. Livestock feed is a contaminate Polyester is not recyclable at MSU Cardboard & Polyester can be used for both

Agricultural Plastics Dairy silage bags Tuber bags Bunker silo covers Bale wraps Bale net covers Irrigation drip tape Greenhouse covers Fumigation & mulch films Pesticide containers Dairy sanitizing chemicals Nursery pots Seedling trays Bee hive frames

Beef and Dairy Farms Cattle need a lot of feed Bunks are used to store and preserve feed

Beef and Dairy Farms These bunks are sealed with plastic to slow down decomposition Often 2 or 3 layers are required for proper protection

Plastic Use In A Year… 4 small bunks: 100 pounds each 1 large bunk: 250 pounds total of 650 pounds of plastic sent to the landfill every year

Outcomes MSU can not Recycle (currently) Few possibilities

Possibilities Recycled Plastic Materials Plastic To Fuels

Plastic To Fuels Torrefied Biomass Oil based Fuels Polution to Polution

Sustainability Practices MAEAP Verified Manure utilization Compost Fertilizer Recycled bedding Reuse of products Tires, baler twine, etc. Recycled bins used in farm classrooms

Questions?