NC Agricultural Plastics

Welcome to NC agricultural plastics recycling! Now it is possible to recycle your old pots, hoop house film and drip tape. Sending your discarded agricultural plastics to a recycler saves you money, creates jobs in the recycling industry in North Carolina and helps you market a greener business.Over 3,200 tons of discarded agricultural plastics have been recycled in NC, saving growers more than $135,000 in disposal fees. Also, more than $393,000 has been paid to growers by recyclers. Read on and learn how to market a greener business and save money!

The NC Agricultural Recycling Program was developed from a partnership between the the NC Division of Environmental Assistance and Customer Service, NC Nursery and Landscape Association, the NC Department of Agriculture and Consumer Service, Waste Reduction Partners and the Tobacco Trust Fund Commission.

• The Division of Environmental Assistance and Customer Service (DEACS) is an agency within DENR whose mission is to protect and improve North Carolina's environment and economy. Their goal is to expand the use of sustainable practices regarding waste reduction, energy efficiency, water conservation and emission reductions; broaden the understanding of the environmental regulatory and permitting programs to improve customer service and: promote recycling material management programs and help expand recycling infrastructures thereby creating economic growth.

• The North Carolina Nursery and Landscapers Association's (NCNLA) purpose is to be a flexible, knowledgable, responsive, environmentally-conscious organization providing the nursery and landscape industries with leadership, technological and business advancement opportunities, and information services. NCNLA's ultimate goal is to benefit its members' economic, professional and personal growth. NCNLA emphasizes industry leadership, member services, marketing, legislation and education.

• The mission of the NC Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services is to improve the state of agriculture in North Carolina by providing services to farmers and agribusinesses and to serve the citizens of North Carolina by providing services and enforcing laws to protect consumers.

• Waste Reduction Partners (WRP) is a team of highly experienced staff and volunteer retired engineers, architects and scientists, provides North Carolina businesses and institutions with waste and energy reduction assessments and technical assistance. WRP services are typically grant-sponsored or supported through technical service contracts to provide technical assistance to its clients at no cost. All services are nonregulatory and confidential. The WRP mission is to work for a sustainable economy, healthy environment, and better quality of life throughout North Carolina. 

   Recycling Plant Pots and Flats

In this video, Ariel Montanez describes how Pender Nursery successfully recycled their accumulation of pots to create efficient yard space.

Recycling Hoop House Film
Mark Gantt of Hefner’s nursery has been recycling for many years. Watch the short video on his thoughts and approach to recycling.

Benefits of Recycling

• Reduced disposal fees and in some cases potential additional income.

• Diverting material from the landfill onto more productive purposes – recycling creates far more jobs in the economy than disposal.

• Customer appreciation for marketing a green product.

• Cleans up your yard and creates more space.

Black Mulch Film and Drip Tape

Drip tape is recyclable but currently mulch films are not recyclable.Collect drip tape separately from mulch films. Drip Tape Recyclers.Several years ago it was possible to recycle mulch films. Most of the mulch films were sent overseas and these markets are not currently available.Many growers have requested waste to energy solutions for mulch films. These are not available. Waste to energy solutions often cost more than taking material to the landfills.The good news is that the NC Agricultural Plastics Recycling team is working hard to find solutions for the mulch films. Some NC recyclers who also process plastics are interested in the large volumes of mulch films genereated in North Carolina. The recyclers believe we have to develop ways to collect the dirty mulch films with less dirt and vegetation attached. WRP and DEACS are also working with North Carolina plastic processors recyclers to help them develop and invest in better wash systems for handling the dirtier plastics. We are optimistic that we may find a solution and will update this site if solutions become available. Please be patient, we are working hard!