Hort plastic recycling program in New Jersey grows 53%

State Secretary of Agriculture Douglas H. Fisher recently announced the state Department of Agriculture’s nursery and greenhouse plastic film recycling program saw a 53 percent increase in the amount of materials recycled last year. It was the most successful year since the program began in 1997.

The film being recycled is used to cover greenhouses for environmental control and hoop houses for over-wintering of nursery material.

“We are proud to have the most successful nursery and greenhouse film recycling program in the nation,” Fisher said. “We encourage all growers who use agricultural plastics to participate in this valuable and money-saving program.”

In 2011, the amount recycled was 1,111,760 pounds. That means less material in landfills, saving New Jersey farmers thousands of dollars in tipping fees, keeping these items out of the solid waste stream, increasing the availability of landfill space and providing a source for manufacturers to make plastic products using recycled content.

One of the two sites where material is collected year-round is the Cumberland County Solid Waste Complex in Deerfield. The other is in Mount Holly.

Both white and clear nursery film and clear multiseason greenhouse covers can be recycled. In addition, the department offers year-round mulch film and drip irrigation tape recycling, seasonal plastic pesticide container recycling, and information on nursery pots, plastic flats, trays and cell packs recycling.

For details about recycling locations, hours, fees and other vendors who accept film, visit www.nj.gov/agriculture/divisions/md/prog/filmsites.html. For other information, contact Karen Kritz at (609) 984-2506 or karen.kritz@ag.state.nj.us.