1. 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.

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

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

4. Process
Selection of Farm
Identification of waste material
Testing

5. 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

6. 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

7. 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

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

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

11. 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

12. Outcomes
MSU can not Recycle (currently)
Few possibilities

13. Possibilities
Recycled Plastic Materials
Plastic To Fuels

14. Plastic To Fuels Torrefied Biomass Oil based Fuels
Polution to Polution

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

16. Questions?