PRESS RELEASE
Contact: Jane Anklam, Agriculture Educator, UW Madison, Divison of Extension, Douglas County (715-395-1515, [email protected])
July 29, 2020
An Agricultural Plastic recycling pick up will take place Tuesday , August 11, 2:00 – 7:00 pm at the Bayfield County Fair Grounds in Iron River, Wisconsin. Materials accepted include: Bale Wrap, Grain Bags, Bunker Covers, Drip Tape, Green House Film and Boat Wrap. Please no gromets, string or binders, labels, painted or reinforced film. Materials do not need to be clean , but loose debris should be shaken off or removed.
There is no fee, but registration is required by August 3rd by calling Clark County Extension Office ( 715-743-5121) or on line:
https://forms.gle/vnkU3fWu2jcgPw1E7
Physical distancing, masks and sanitizer recommendations will be followed at the event.
“Local farmers have been searching for a way to recycle their agriculture plastics over the past several years”, said Jane Anklam , UW Madison Division of Extension Agriculture Educator, Douglas County. “They have been concerned at the lack of a local outlet, and not happy with the alternative of sending the plastics to the landfill. And of course, plastics are illegal to burn.” Last year interested farmers and community members met with Revolutoin Plastics , a regional re-cycling company to learn the logisitcs of setting up a local pickup. This spring , UW Madison , Divison of Extensoin Community and Natural Resources Educator, Melissa Kono received a grant to bring the Agriculutre Plastics Recycling pick-up to the northern Counties. “In order for this to work, we need to collect at least 20,000 lbs of plastics” , explained Kono, “all while following the guidances for safety under the COVID pandemic.” Boat storage wraps and green house and high tunnel plastics are also welcome.
Plastics should be brought to the event as baled or in Recapture Bags provided by the grant and Revolution Plastics. These bags can be requested when registering.
“The 20,000 lbs is a tall order, but there are a lot of plastics out in our region that have served their purpose of storing our excellent forages”, Anklam described. “This may be our chance to really tip the scales for getting our plastics out of the waste stream and re-used to make recycled sustainable plastics for next season.”
Title VI of the Civil Rights Act of 1964 prohibits discrimination on the basis national origin, which includes language-based discrimination. In accordance with federal law and its enacting regulations, any person with limited English proficiency (LEP) has the right to request and receive information related to Extension’s educational programming and services in a language other than English. In order to receive assistance with interpretation and/or translation needs, or any other matter related to language access issues, please contact: [email protected]