Agricultural Plastics Recycling in New York State 
 
Case Study 
 
Jean Bonhotal and Marley Bonacquist-Currin  
Cornell Waste Management Institute (CWMI) 
NYS Recycling Agricultural Plastics Program (RAPP) 
Cornell University, Ithaca, NY 14853 
 
The case study looks at the NYS Recycling Agricultural Plastics Program under NYS 
Department of Environmental Conservation (DEC), New York Farm Viability Institute and USDA 
NIFA funds.This case study summarizes the efforts and success of the program during 
operation, as well as an update of what has happened in the counties since.  
address the collection and sound disposal of 
BACKGROUND agricultural plastics. In 2004 there were 
In the mid 1990’s there was an awakening several locations in the north country of 
to the challenge of agricultural plastic NYS that were interested in trying to collect 
disposal challenge. In the dairy industry, and recycle linear agricultural plastics and 
agricultural plastics appear as as silage and large pesticide containers. A pilot program 
haylage bags, bunker silo covers, bale wraps in St Lawrence County had a grant to 
and twines; in the nursery industry, as quantify and characterize the amount and 
hoophouse covers, trays and containers; in type of waste agricultural plastic and to 
fruit and vegetable production, as row provide farmers with a one-time, no tip fee 
covers and mulch films; and in all disposal program.  Through this process, 
agricultural sectors in pesticide containers. the farmers were be given an awareness of 
Additionally, many farms were using plastic local solid waste transfer facilities, 
mulches and silage bags instead of silage procedures and the costs associated with 
structures. One easy way to dispose of use of a proper municipal landfill.  It was 
plastic was to burn it or throw it into a farm hoped that through this process farmers 
dump but eventually markets prepared to  will be more likely to reduce the tonnage 
recycle the materials, only to realize that (through proper handling and storage) and 
there was too much contamination to to budget for municipal disposal at their 
process most of it. Within six months the local solid waste transfer stations in the 
markets were gone.  future.   
Coalitions from the northeast states In total, 105.31 tons of plastic were 
including New York, New Jersey, Vermont, collected from August 2, 2004 to June 30, 
New Hampshire, Pennsylvania, Connecticut 2005.  Four of the five available transfer 
and Massachusetts held meetings to try and stations in St. Lawrence County were used 
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82 times by 45 farms.  Lewis County TEAMWORK 
transfer station dedicated a baler two days 
RAPP worked with a network of outreach 
per month for farmers to bring plastic for educators, generally Cornell Cooperative 
baling in a stationary baler. At that point, Ag Extension (CCE) County Associations. These 
Bag was hauling trailer loads back to their relationships focused in on their role of 
headquarters in Oregon in hopes of recruiting plastic recycling participants, 
recycling it.  Additionally, there were efforts maintaining contact with current 
in Otsego County, where there were participants and providing training and 
education in preparing plastic for efficient 
citizens concerned about the air emissions 
recycling. These outreach educators were 
from burning of these plastics (they are still crucial to the functionality of RAPP, as they 
baling but current market availability varies ensured best management practices for 
greatly). recycling. Additionally, participation of local 
Solid Waste Management was essential for 
INTRODUCTION the sustainability of agricultural plastics 
When the NYS Recycling Agricultural recycling.  
Plastics Program ( RAPP)  was launched the  
goal was to increase recycling agricultural RAPP established a set of project partners 
plastics through education, outreach, and in SWCD and CCE agencies to represent 
baling of agricultural plastics for shipment RAPP in their areas and carry out fieldwork. 
to special recycling facilities within the These agencies were reimbursed for their 
United States and abroad (only if no efforts within the constraints of funding 
domestic options were available). limitations and gaps. The initial partner 
 agreements were developed with the 
Agricultural plastic education was key and SWCDs to support the Cooperation 
Agreements made between six of these 
included the following points and 
agencies 
difficulties: 
and the NYS DEC to manage the six BigFoot 
• Collection, storage and keeping the plastic balers purchased for the project. Most of 
clean enough to recycle. the money allocated in the first cycle of 
 • Providing BigFoot BF300 mobile balers to contract funding went towards the 
compact used plastic into dense, stackable purchase of these balers. The money to 
bales that are efficient to store and purchase the balers flowed through Cornell, 
transport. with NYS DEC retaining ownership, the 
• Collaborating with local partner agencies, SWCD Cooperators given management 
organizations and businesses to create rights,while defacto management 
recycling systems that benefit farmers, the responsibilities resided with RAPP. Per the 
environment and the economy. terms of the Cooperation Agreements, the 
• Working with plastics manufacturers to SWCDs were required to work 
explore ways to process difficult-to-recycle cooperatively with RAPP, but were not 
agricultural plastics into new “made in the under obligation to carry out any tasks 
USA” plastic products. without receiving reimbursement. 
  
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In other areas of New York, five mobile Additional collections were held in May of 
BigFoot balers were used in contract with 2016. For smaller producers, Otsego County 
neighboring counties. During the winter of wanted to shift from baling on farm to 
2015, Lewis County SWCD assumed the receiving at collection locations. 
cooperator agreement for the Jefferson  
County baler and Cornell Cooperative RAPP met with Solid Waste Divisions of 
Extension of Wyoming County assumed the Chautauqua and Cattaraugus Counties as 
cooperator agreement for the Wyoming well as SWCD and CCE staff from both 
County baler. Ongoing efforts in the North counties that are interested in participating. 
Country resulted in 156,000 lbs. of plastic Both counties were assessing their 
being moved to TAP Industries for resources and potential for Solid Waste to 
processing. TAP Industries received a divert agricultural plastics to recycling. 
Regional Economic Development Council Cattaraugus County Solid Waste offered 
(REDC) grant in December 2014 to help two sites for collection and baling of 
complete their processing line. In the past, agricultural plastics. Extension was working 
moving bales to storage and/or market to educate farmers and a bale of Super 
locations were carried out largely with RAPP Sacks® was left with SWCD and Extension 
funding. As this was not financially for distribution. Agreement was 
sustainable, RAPP met with Solid Waste and subsequently reached with Chautauqua 
Recycling Authorities regarding the County SWCD to receive the Washington 
acceptance, storage and recycling of County baler and increase collection of 
agricultural plastics.  agricultural plastics in the county. The 
 cooperator agreement was signed in the 
As storage locations were established in winter 2015. To date, limited plastic 
each part of the state, farmers, marina collection and baling has occurred, but a 
operators and other generators can self- significant number of farms had committed 
convey plastics (baled, in Super Sacks®, to participating.  
loose, or in some other manner) to  
designated locations. Delaware and Work has been ongoing to identify 
Madison Counties fully adopted this alternative methods to move baled plastics 
approach, but in Otsego County SWCD to markets. Discussions with solid waste 
notified Casella where baled material was authorities and private haulers have 
located and Casella trucks pick up bales as it identified several alternative methods of 
fits their schedule.  collection and transport of agricultural 
 plastics for recycling. St. Lawrence County 
Meetings with Otsego County Solid Waste, Solid Waste indicated that they have 
SWCD, Otsego County Conservation transportable compaction containers that 
Association, and Casella Resource Solutions could be used for transporting material 
resulted in four collections, two in the straight to market without baling. Wheelock 
spring and two in the fall of 2015. Disposal, Winfield, NY, supplied 40-yard 
Approximately 14,000 lbs. of agricultural roll-off containers, with the ability to move 
plastic were brought in, largely from up to 24,000 lbs. of plastic at one time for 
commercial producers but also agricultural plastics delivery to NBF Plastics. 
homeowners with wood pellet bags. A walking floor tractor-trailer was also 
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successfully used to load bales on a farm Additionally, in September 2014, Broome 
that had no loading dock.  County CCE invited RAPP to speak at the 
 Broome County Local Government Training. 
RAPP assisted Madison County Department A 45-minute presentation titled 
of Solid Waste with their interest to build a "Agricultural Waste: Role of Farm and 
plastics-to-fuel facility to process Municipality" was presented to 62 
agricultural and other plastics. A Regional attendees. Additional outreach was 
Economic Development Council grant conveyed through displays at the annual 
proposal to attract a company was NYSAR3 conference and trade show in 
unsuccessful, however five companies Cooperstown, Novembers of 2013-2015, 
submitted proposals to a recent RFP. In the which was a good opportunity to interact 
end, the facility was not built.  with solid waste personnel, recycling 
 coordinators and private industry. 
In addition to the collection, recycling, and  
outreach, RAPP included an educational For assistance in baling, a BigFoot Baler 
component. The dedicated website is Instructional Video was added in English 
located at: and Spanish to the website, as well as the 
http://www.recycleagplastics.css.cals.corne Baler Maintenance Manual.  
ll.edu/ . Educational materials can be found  
at  TYPES OF EDUCATIONAL EVENTS IN NYS:  
http://www.recycleagplastics.css.cals.corne -In August 2013-2015, RAPP hosted displays 
ll.edu/agplastics2.htm, including short "fact at Empire Farm Days, a 3-day annual event 
sheets" for best management practices on held in Seneca Falls, NY.  The event attracts 
preparing and storing plastic for 
10,000 farmers from the northeast.  
collection/baling. A small number of these 
were printed and laminated as double-sided -Broome County CCE invited RAPP to speak 
posters and distributed at events. at Broome County Local Government 
Additionally, a map shows baling activity 
Training. A 45‐ minute presentation titled 
and locations, Super Sack® locations and 
locations where RAPP education occurred “Agricultural Waste: Role of Farm and 
(located at Municipality” 
http://compost.css.cornell.edu/RAPPmaps.
 -Displays and discussion at NYS Association 
html).  
 of Reduction Reuse and Recycling 
For community presence and exposure, conference in Cooperstown, NY 
RAPP had displays at Empire Farm Days, a 
-Demonstrations and Outreach at county 
three-day event held annually in Seneca 
Falls, NY. The booth attracted several fairs and Dairy Days throughout the state.  
hundred visitors, approximately 50 people -Collaboration with states that boarder NYS.  
had specific follow up requests related to 
recycling their plastics. A significant number -Cornell Cooperative Extension Chautauqua 
of farmers expressed interest in the County spoke to four groups including USDA  
proposal to collect and divert agricultural 
plastics from the Ontario County landfill. 
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– Seneca Trail Resource Conservation and Waste and Environmental Concerns 
Development Council (RC&D) regarding Committee.  
RAPP. RC&D expressed support for the  
program. -Casella hosted a meeting with Ultra-Poly, 
the recycler from PA, County Planning, CCE 
-Cargill Animal Nutrition in Liverpool was 
and RAPP. We visited Casella’s Zero-Sort 
able to connect with NBF Plastics in Auburn 
facility as well as a farm and a marina. 
to move 11,000 lbs. of Super Sack® bulk 
Ultra-Poly expressed strong interest in 
bags largely for reuse. 
recycling greenhouse film and possibly boat 
 
wrap. 
-Delaware County CCE had an intern putting 
 
significant effort into recruiting “hold out” 
-AgriPalooza 2014 and 2015, a fun-filled day 
farms and training regarding collection 
on the farm designed for the general public 
BMPs 
to experience and enjoy learning about 
 
-Presentation to Farmland Protection Board modern day farming, attendees got to 
in Chenango County  watch a baling demonstration and take 
 home printed material about agricultural 
-Baling demonstration was performed using plastics recycling.  
plastic from 3 farms at Chenango County  
Dairy Day.  -A display table with information was set up 
 
at Artisan Villa in September, the Harvest 
-A RAPP booth/poster and pamphlets at the 
Afton Fair and Chenango County Fair  Fest in the Warsaw Village Park in October 
 2014. 
-Otsego County Connservation Association 
EFFORTS BY COUNTY  
personnel did 9 farm visits in which they 
discussed BMPs with participants over the Cayuga County 
Participants: Cayuga County had a total of 
recent time period. Recruiting then 
15 interested farms, 11 of which were dairy 
switched to advertising and phone calls and farms, two beef producers, one horticulture 
promoted RAPP on WSRK and WDOS radio operation and one marina.   
stations.  
 Chautauqua County  
-A display was set up with RAPP information Participants: Chautauqua County, 18 farms 
were saving plastic. These were primarily 
at several festivals and the County fair 
dairy and livestock farmers and one 
(Otsego Lakes Festival twice, the Goodyear 
agricultural business. A couple of the farms 
Lake Festival and the County Fair twice). were in Cattaraugus County. 
SWCD also reported three times about  
RAPP activities to the Otsego County Solid Plastic Activities: Since starting the 
program, the winter of 2015/16 represents 
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the period with the largest amount of hear if the plastic was adequate and will 
plastic used and saved for recycling. continue to be accepted, but should know 
Chautauqua County SWCD had the in a couple months. If it is, it will help out 
cooperator agreement and coordinated the farmers and the environment. The 
baling with the farms.. Twenty-one bales of farmers currently drop their plastic off at 
plastic had been generated for recycling, 13 the MRF and it is baled on Mondays. They 
were being stored at the NYP Management make one or two bales per week, and they 
Company facility and five were at the have to accrue 40,000 lbs. to make weight 
Agriculture Service Center in Jamestown for the international shipping containers.  
and three remained on the farms where Contamination is a challenge the county 
they were baled.  gives out free 4’x4’ totes, farmers collect 
 the plastic in the tote.  
Chenango County CCE is active in providing education in the 
Participants: Chenango County CCE has region, with frequent trainings and 
generated interest with 30+ farms in outreach events. They may have found a 
Broome and Chenango Counties. The local feed company to donate more 4x4 
farms/businesses that have saved plastic for totes, which is important as the totes can 
recycling include 12 dairies, two livestock, only really be used three to four times.  
and one horticulture operation. The  
Chenango County DPW and their North Plastic Activities: Plastics are collected at 
Norwich Recycling Center had been active the Delaware County Solid Waste Facility. 
participants in the program by baling and They are brought in by participating farmers 
storing agricultural plastics. using bulk bags. During the winter of 
 2015/16 the county surpassed a 50% 
Plastic Activities: Chenango County DPW collection rate for used agricultural plastics 
had been limiting outreach for baling in in the county. This created some challenges 
2014 due to a lack of storage. After having as some farms have to drive a long distance 
rented a storage container, they were able to the recycling center. There was 
to build a storage facility for agricultural consideration regarding opening one or 
plastics in 2015 through a grant from the more local transfer stations for agricultural 
Constitution Pipeline to CCE. Approximately plastics. During the autumn of 2015 and 
6 farms have been actively bringing bale winter 2016, Delaware Solid Waste shipped 
wrap into the recycling center. 14,000 lbs. 70,630 lbs. of agricultural plastics to 
of agricultural plastics were shipped. market, donating the proceeds to run RAPP.  
  
Delaware County  Chemung SWCD  
Delaware County has a county owned and SWCD owned their own baler and had 8 
operated landfill, materials recovery facility, very active farms recycling plastic however 
and compost cfacility which is funded the majority of plastic comes from one 
through sales tax. They have three farm. Since their last shipment in July 2015, 
operating balers, one of which is used for these farms collected and baled ~35,000 
agricultural plastics. They sent a load of lbs. of plastic and were almost ready to ship 
plastics to a customer in Malaysia spring another load to market.  
2019, a zero-sum deal. They have yet to  
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Clinton County SWCD agricultural plastic that was collected could 
SWCD owned and supplied two mobile be made into new plastic.  
balers to farms primarily in Clinton and  
Essex Counties. Large numbers of bales of Plastic Activities: 121 bales were picked up 
plastic have been generated and not from Franklin, Clinton and Essex counties 
marketed due to the lack of logistics to and moved to TAP Industries’ facilities in 
move them to a central shipping point.  Malone or Plattsburgh during the summer 
 of 2015. The Clinton County SWCD baler 
TAP Industries had been taking in baled continued to bale on-farm in Clinton and 
agricultural plastics. Approximately 80 bales Essex Counties. As of March 31, 2016, 
were moved from Clinton County to TAP Franklin County CCE is assisting with 
Industries in 2015. Approximately 80,000 coordinating picking up 40,000 + lbs. in 
pounds of additional material had been Clinton County.  
baled in Clinton (~45,000 lbs.) and Essex  
(~35,000 lbs.) Counties and awaited Jefferson County  
shipment to market. Conveying bales to SWCD had used a program supplied BigFoot 
markets for all counties has been a baler until September 2014. Jefferson 
challenge.  County SWCD notified DEC that they were 
 ending their participation in the program. 
Franklin County  This came about due to a reduction in staff 
Participants: Approximately 66 farms in and funding. Lewis County SWCD has since 
Franklin, Essex and Clinton Counties are assumed the baler cooperator agreement. 
participating with RAPP. A number of the  
participants are maple producers. Franklin A number of participating farms and all of 
County Extension educators have been the marinas desire to have a continuation of 
working very closely with TAP Industries, a RAPP in Jefferson County. Jefferson County 
materials recovery/reclamation/recycling Solid Waste (part of County Highway) was 
facility that receives, separates and unable to manage the full program but can 
prepares recyclable materials for marketing assist with receiving and shipping baled 
to end-user manufacturers. TAP Industries materials. Lewis County SWCD would be 
was working on a processing line involving willing to make the baler available, and had, 
agricultural films; i.e. hay and silage bale but was unable to manage operations 
wrap, feed bags, bunker cover, as well as outside their county.  
maple tubing, nursery and greenhouse film, The Development Authority of the North 
horticultural pots and trays, agricultural Country(DANC), a solid waste management 
jugs, drums, and pails, and wood pellet facility who own and operate the regional 
bags. TAP Industries’ management would landfill, took over the agricultural plastics 
like to receive these plastics from any operation. The materials management 
location, where it is logistically possible. The coordinator was from the SWCD originally 
cost of transportation appeared to be their and had an interest in agricultural plastics 
foremost limiting factor, but it was believed will recycle as much material as possible. 
that this would diminish as their facility They are not currently baling because there 
becomes fully operational and all are no markets. 
 
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The baler is still functional and maintained would be taken into consideration with any 
however, they find that the balers are not plans developed by DANC.  
user friendly. Additionally, if the farmers do  
a poor job managing and cleaning their Agricultural plastics were collected from 11 
plastic, it leaves a messy disaster of Lewis County farms and SWCD 
manure, feed, water, mud, mosquito larvae collected/diverted 30 bales (30 tons) of 
and rotting grass. An auto feed baler would agricultural plastics. At a $72 per ton tipping 
be better suited to the county’s needs, or fee if landfilled, this program save farmers 
the plastic needs to be shredded to reduce $2,160. Lewis County had been driving the 
the size of the sheets for manual feeding.  baler around to farms, but would rather 
 have had it stationary to save time, with 
The Development Authority of the North farms dropping the bale wrap off at one 
County looked at Delta Plastic’s Wisconsin central location. 
project: Revolutions Plastic  
(https://www.revolutionplastics.com/index. Madison County  
php), which was attempting to replicate in Madison County has their own Materials 
NYS, but failed. The plastic exists in the Recovery Facility (MRF), and thus their own 
region for success, and the model has seen baler. As they have to market their own 
success in Wisconsin, but if there are no recyclables anyways, they have continued 
markets, there is no point. However, the to recycle agricultural plastics. With such a 
agricultural plastics are also bad for the large agricultural community the 
landfill, so an answer has to be found.  Department of Solid Waste felt they had to 
 continue to support agricultural plastics 
 recycling despite RAPP’s ending. 
Lewis County  Madison County baled and shipped 
SWCD assumed the cooperator agreement approximately 160,000 lbs. of plastic for 
for the former Jefferson County BigFoot processing into fuel. RAPP helped arrange 
baler during the winter of 2015. Twenty- both of the processors for Madison County 
four bales of plastic were generated on 11 Solid Waste. Solid Waste shipped 44,040 of 
participating farms and in August of 2015, agricultural plastics to market for recycling 
15,534 lbs. of plastic were shipped to the in February 2016. This material went to the 
Brooklyn market, combined with 19,000 lbs. Brooklyn trash bag manufacturer.  
from Jefferson County. An additional 5,000 Madison County continued to try to attract 
lbs. of plastic was baled during the autumn a plastics-to-fuel plant to the Madison 
of 2015. As of March 31, 2016, SWCD had County Agriculture and Renewable Energy 
been unable to start baling plastic saved by Business Park to process hard to recycle 
farms during the recent winter months.  plastics from Madison County, diverting 
 them from the landfill. They would also 
The Lowville transfer station had expressed accept plastic regionally. They received 5 
willingness to resume collections of plastic. proposals to their RFP for plastics-to-fuel 
This was done in the past and they have processing.  
continued to receive baled agricultural  
plastics to load for shipping to market. This Currently they accept HDP (at the MRF) and 
LDP bale wrap (for trash), even though 
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export markets dried up about two years Systems, which manages the landfill and the 
ago. They are currently working with Delta recycling center, regarding the agricultural 
Plastics out of Arkansas, who will pick up plastics. 
HDP silage tubes for free, but will not Ontario County Planning requested CCE 
accept LDP (which is the majority of the Ontario County to survey farms in Ontario 
plastic in the county. They have two trailer County to better estimate the types and 
loads of HDP stored and staged. They are amounts of plastic used. RAPP partnered 
sitting on about 60-80,000 pounds of LDP, with CCE in doing this and funded CCE to 
about 30-40 tons, but it would cost about hire a summer college intern to manage the 
$200/ton to manage. Madison County survey. Three hundred-seventeen in-depth 
would like to see the agricultural suppliers surveys were mailed to area farms and 131 
be held responsible for the plastics, with were returned, showing very high interest. 
them being shipped back to the companies Farmers expressed willingness to recycle 
for recycling after use. This forced about 60 tons of used plastics. Given that 
responsibility would likely bring about long- Casella collects regionally and 60% of the 
term and creative solutions. The agricultural farms in Ontario County did not report, real 
community fully converted to tube and potential is considerably higher. Casella was 
wrap, so someone has to subsidize the cost.  exploring the logistics of collection. There 
 was a farm tour including RAPP, Casella, 
The county does have an RFP for plastics to CCE and County Planning in July of 2015 
oil, but this method seems overly where three farms, representing different 
optimistic. They lack the volume for proper types of plastic, were visited. This allowed 
execution (100,000 tons would be needed Casella and County Planning  staff to better 
just to feed it) and the technology is understand where the plastic is and how it 
incredibly expensive.  can be collected.  
  
The recycling center will not be willing to Otsego County  
take the LDP until there are long term Participants: Over 45  farms were recruited 
contracts with sustainable markets in place. through OCCA and SWCD although the 
At least three-year contract windows are majority of the plastic is collected from 
needed to validate the costs and education about 15 farms. Most of the participants 
efforts/message. were dairy farmers in Otsego County, but 
 there were three farms in Herkimer County 
Ontario County  that had been recruited by these two 
The Ontario County Planning Department entities.  
included agricultural plastics recycling in Plastic Activities: Otsego County SWCD has 
their updated Solid Waste Management a BigFoot 300 baler and coordinates baling. 
Plan. The county had placed a priority on Most baling to date had been on-farm. The 
diverting potentially recyclable materials local RAPP team expanded to include 
from their regional landfill. Cornell Casella Resource Solutions and County 
Cooperative Extension staff have taken the Planning. This resulted in two spring 
lead in interacting with the agricultural collections at the Southern Transfer Station 
community as well as facilitating discussions in Oneonta and two fall collections one  in 
between the County and Casella Waste Oneonta and one in Cooperstown. Over 
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15,000 lbs. of plastic were delivered by area baler at North Fork Nursery. Efforts largely 
farmers. Wood pellet bags were added to through the USDA Berry Tunnel project 
the collections. Over 70,000 lbs. of plastic resulted in Ultra-Poly, a Pennsylvania 
was baled. In most cases, the plastic recycler, wanting to recycle greenhouse film 
collected was good quality. 65,685 pounds in large volumes. North Fork Nursery was 
of plastic were shipped to the plant in able to collect ~50,000 lbs. of used film 
Brooklyn in 2016.  from 300 greenhouses. They had not 
Otsego County still has a functional baler in shipped to market as of March 2016 but 
the possession of their soil and water were offered 9 cents per pound picked up 
conservation district, but it is just being held at the farm.  
there. After RAPP funding ran out, the  
Otsego County Conservation Association Tompkins County  
was brought in to help with education and SWCD had held the cooperator agreement 
outreach to farmers, while the SWCD was for the baler but did not renew it in 2015.  
working on baling with county waste.  The arrangement with Tompkins County 
OCCA is currently sitting on about ten bales SWCD allowed RAPP to collect and recycle 
with nowhere to dispose of them. They 27,000 lbs. of agricultural plastics 
would be interested in continuing effort if regionally, all material going to NBF Plastics. 
there was a method and a market, and the  
SWCD was getting funding from the solid Washington County  
waste department directly during the last SWCD had opted out of the program in 
two years of the program, because they are 2014. Privatizing their solid waste 
progressive and motivated to mitigate the management and a high percent 
problem of agricultural plastics, but without contamination in collected plastic 
a market they could not continue. However, Contributed to the balers transfer to 
they would like to hold onto their baler for Chautauqua County in 2015. Washington 
the foreseeable future as they continue to County’s final shipment to market consisted 
research possibilities. of 55 bales.  
  
St. Lawrence County  Wyoming County  
St Lawrence County was no longer  Participants: Wyoming County CCE has the 
participating with RAPP but farm interest baler cooperator agreement and does the 
remains high. Both DANC and St Lawrence recruiting. They are active in Genesee, 
County Solid Waste are interested in Livingston and Wyoming counties, with 
developing a plan that may involve their total participation being over 60 
collecting agricultural plastics periodically at farms. 
several transfer stations.   
 Plastic Activities: In October of 2015, 
Suffolk County SWCD  ~42,776 lbs. of agricultural plastics shipped 
Suffolk County SWCD had a BigFoot 400 from the Wyoming County program for 
baler that mechanically pulled plastic off of recycling. Approximately 40,000 lbs. of 
greenhouses and bales it. Due to staff plastic was baled. This leaves 90,000 lbs. of 
changes SWCD suspended their agricultural material from approximately 30 farms and 
plastics program in 2015/16 and stored the two dry bean businesses ready for market. 
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Logistics of moving bales from farms to a home to 15-20 more. Farmers in the county 
central location remained challenging. Most continue to call and ask about RAPP, as they 
of the bales were silage cover, but there are interested in participating in agricultural 
was also bale wrap and bulk bags.  plastic recycling, but the county cannot 
Wyoming CCE shipped 41.5 tons of afford to start up their own efforts without 
agricultural plastics to market. The county being able to turn a profit. They have tried 
exceeded a 50% recycling rate from the to contact Waste Management Inc. about a 
county's dairy industry, which is well above partnership with no success. Occasionally 
the national recycling rate for all plastics companies or individuals will approach the 
(9%).  county about removing their existing bales, 
Wyoming still has a baller, it is just sitting in but they charge $12-28 hundred dollars, 
their town highway department and likely and this is unaffordable.  
needs to be serviced. They are interested in 
getting rid of their baler, especially due to CHALLENGES 
the lack of markets, and to free up the  
space at their county highway department.  Industry changes varied around New York 
A local feed mill and a local dairy farm are State. This program began with startup 
both interested in purchasing the baler, to funding from New York Farm Viability 
bale their own and potentially neighbor’s Institute (NYFVI) and the commitment from 
plastics, and continue the search for NYS DEC to provide plastic balers around 
markets. However, the contracts with the the state. However, as time went on market 
DEC have made this difficult to facilitate. pressure and loss of funding caused the 
Wyoming County used to take the baler to Cornell portion of the program to shut 
farms and bale on site. This was a difficult down. Without funds it has been impossible 
and time consuming process, but they have to continue with the program. 
no solid waste division at the county, so it  
was the only option. Their waste  Despite this, we felt obligated to continue 
management is through a contract with the county programs as best as we could, 
Waste Management Incorporated, who even without the funding from the DEC 
picks up garbage from farm’s dumpsters, grant. With many loose ends - From 
and household garbage from the curb.  communication/meeting among the 
Farms likely would have been willing to SWCD/Cooperative Extension/Farmers, 
drop the plastic to a central site for baling, distribution of balers and supplies, etc. - it 
but no one in the county was willing to step was difficult to neatly wrap up the program. 
up and get a site permitted.  The counties involved included: Wyoming, 
Wyoming had been generating 2-3 tractor Lewis, Clinton, Franklin, Jefferson, 
loads per year, and could currently create St Lawrence, Delaware, Tompkins, 
more if there was a market for reinforced Cattaraugus, Chautauqua, Otsego, Madison, 
plastics. However, given the lack of any Westchester, and Long Island.  
market, it is all going into the dumpsters  
and making its’ way to the landfills, taking The balers are owned by NYSDEC and will 
up valuable space. Farms still have 20 bales stay under contract in their current 
of reinforced plastic just sitting around for locations unless the county/entity does not 
this reason, and the highway department is want to use the baler any longer and the 
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DEC approves their move. As it stands, While clean plastics are being readily 
Wyoming County would like to sell theirs to recycled and accepted, it takes very little 
a local farm, Lewis County wants to get rid contamination to make linear plastics dirty. 
of theirs, and Allegany County would like to Additionally, with the China market recently 
acquire one. However, the legal issues with ceasing their acceptance of our recyclables, 
the DEC, as well as communication blocks to there is little hope of a solid market 
the agency make this process lengthy and developing internationally anytime soon. 
difficult to facilitate. Those countries which do accept are often 
 burning them. To top it off, the cost of 
At the ending of RAPP, meetings with transportation often exceeds the market 
recyclers let to very mixed results. Great value.  
Lakes Recycling, North Tonawanda, was  
handling film plastics and would assist with Furthermore, plastics-to-oil has not 
marketing and possibly facilitating pickup of succeeded thus far. A plant was built in New 
baled plastics from farms in Western NY. Hampshire in the New England Kingdom. 
Ultra-Poly, a plastics recycling company in They took several loads from NYS for 
Pennsylvania, ran test runs to process testing, but then never commissioned the 
greenhouse films with coordination from plant. This likely occurred due to the low 
RAPP. This went well and they subsequently price of oil -time and prices will determine if 
started accepting and processing this this changes and such a market can emerge. 
material. However, this is no longer in  
operation.  Even with available markets, the balers 
 themselves prove problematic. The best 
The lack of real, lasting markets for dirty experiences have been with stationary 
plastic is the downfall of the success RAPP balers at solid waste divisions, as the mobile 
or any future similar program. Many balers provide maintenance, operation, and 
entities have tried and failed to turn this transportation challenges. The BigFoot 300 
material into products that could be balers are an excellent prototype but design 
beneficial and useful. For 20 years heavy flaws contribute to the high maintenance 
hitters, like Mobile, Exxon and Delta, tried along with wear from use over time. The 
to recycle the agricultural plastics, but these production rights for these balers have 
efforts have all failed. There was a market been turned over to Kennco Manufacturing. 
in Pennsylvania for fracking pond liners, While they are valuable tool for recycling 
because it is 60-80 mils thick and washable, agricultural plastics, particularly with larger 
but it is unknown if this is still in operation quantities of plastic, use is difficult.  
in 2019.   
 
At the end of the program in 2016, one Whenever possible, the primary mode of 
solid market was established in Brooklyn. agricultural plastics collection and baling 
There was a company producing trash bags, should be through established Solid Waste 
however they received a few bad loads and Management infrastructure, not on-farm 
stopped accepting the agricultural films.  baling. Traditional stationary balers are 
 generally more versatile and robust in 
handling a large range of materials. This 
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requires each county to have Solid Waste  40,000 pounds was sent to JUM 
Infrastructure, which presents issues with Global from Madison County for 
space and zoning, as well as cost, if the plastics-to-fuel efforts. 
facility is not already in place. Without such  120,000 lbs. were sent to Prima-
a facility, counties would have to send their America in Groveton, NH, for 
plastics to be baled elsewhere, and if the plastics-to-fuel processing. However, 
plastic has not been properly cleaned, this after this plant was tested it ended 
gives further opportunity for the growth of up shutting down. 
mosquitos, additional water to accumulate,  110,600 pounds were shipped to 
and general muck to get harder and more other markets.  
caked on. Success has been found from  336,000+ pounds have been 
folding the plastics and putting them in diverted and baled in preparation 
plastic Super Sack®, then depositing them for market, but were still awaiting 
at specific drop sites. shipment at the program’s end. 
 
FINAL RAPP NUMBERS  
Summary of Shipments in Pounds of Plastic CONCLUSION 
Diverted: As many markets for recycled agricultural 
9/13-5/14 225,000  plastics collapsed during the program’s 
6/14-11/14 656,100  operation, agricultural plastic recycling has 
12/14-8/15 600,131 virtually ceased in all counties post-RAPP. 
 Over 2,000,000 pounds of Without RAPP’s funding, counties do not 
agricultural plastics from NY farms have the time, resources, money, or staff to 
diverted to markets.  fund a program, especially without markets. 
 815,631 pounds were sent to While some counties continue small 
Brooklyn, NY, for processing into operations and are searching for markets, 
garbage bags, and an 82,600 pounds they have not found a way to make the 
were forwarded by NBF Plastics in practice of agricultural plastics recycling 
Auburn, NY.  profitable, instead having to accept 
 157,000 pounds of mulch film was situations of zero-sum, or even a loss. Still 
shipped to Delta Plastics in Little other counties have the capacity to bale, 
Rock, AR, to be made into industrial but the baled agricultural plastics have 
quality garbage bags.  nowhere for to go. Instead of being 
 279,500 pounds were delivered to recycled, they take up space in local 
NBF for processing into plastic extension offices, highway offices, and 
lumber.  waste management facilities. As it stands, 
 11,000 lbs. of Super Sacks® were most counties are sending agricultural 
taken by NBF for reuse.  plastics to landfills. 
 156,000 pounds were taken by TAP  
Industries, in Malone, NY, with the Prior to the program’s completion, a total of 
intent processing it into plastic 2,025,131 pounds of plastic were diverted. 
pellets. To date the plastic bales are This total includes 336,000 lbs. of baled 
stored at TAP. material that were ready for market upon 
the programs completion.  
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 materials recovery facilities, which are 
Upon conclusion of RAPP, markets for better equipped to handle the mass, mess, 
agricultural plastics had dried up. NYS and process. However, not all counties have 
agricultural plastics recycling has mostly access to such a facility, and without a 
ceased, with just a few county’s continuing revenue-stream to be gleaned from the 
their efforts. However, even county’s that process, they cannot pay the transportation 
still bale are struggling to store and market fees, or staff the project. Most are playing 
the material. Attempts, efforts, education, the “wait and see” game with oil prices and 
and outreach is ongoing, but success is foreign markets, and have been left 
limited, slow-going, and frustrating. The frustrated on many fronts, despite their 
general consensus is that county’s would best attempts and intentions. 
like a streamlined process at central 
 
 
 
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