The ubiquity of plastic and the efforts to manage it sustainably is a difficult challenge for farmers to tackle. From greenhouse film to packaging materials, plastic is everywhere, and while these materials are crucial for farm operations, options for conveniently disposing of plastic products are limited.
Plastic materials used on farms are typically shut out of recycling streams due to contamination from soil and plant matter, leaving farmers with few choices other than to dispose of them in landfills or let them pile up on their properties. Over time, these materials fragment into microplastics that are harmful to the environment and our health.
With funding from the Washington Department of Ecology’s Public Participation Grant Program, Zero Waste Washington partnered with farmers across 14 counties to investigate plastic waste practices and begin identifying sustainable waste reduction strategies.
The two-year project (2023-2025) included in-depth interviews with 59 farms representing a wide range of farm sizes and types to identify most used plastics, which materials pile up without easy disposal options, and what gets reused, tossed, or stockpiled by the end of the season.
Based on farmer engagement, Zero Waste Washington and partners piloted the following projects:
- Free trial of durable and reusable CSA/delivery boxes
- Farmers were offered free, durable and reusable boxes to replace commonly used waxed carboard boxes that are neither recyclable nor compostable due to the polyethylene coating that helps to reduce moisture while transporting fresh produce. Three styles of durable boxes were available: collapsible plastic corrugated boxes, roughneck-style totes with detached lids, and flip-lid totes that can stack into each other for more efficient storage.
- Cost-share program for farmers to purchase Winstrip nursery trays
- Cheap nursery trays are made of thin, flimsy plastic that break easily and become unusable. The cost share program provided an opportunity for farmers to purchase durable Winstrip nursery trays that are designed to last for decades at half the cost of what farmers would pay for the retail price.
- Regional collection events to recycle used and/or broken trays and pots.
- Lastly, the project offered free, drop-off plastic recycling events by partnering with DTG Recycle, a locally based commercial recycler of demolition, industrial, and manufacturing waste in the Pacific Northwest. These events were intended to increase accessibility to recycling infrastructure by providing conveniently located collection points that also have the capacity to sort, handle, and process recyclable material. Participants were able to bring plastic pots and nursery trays that met the appropriate criteria.
After the pilot projects were concluded, a follow-up survey was conducted to gain farmer feedback on the pilots and areas for improvement.
Overall, these projects were generally well received by farmers, but barriers to accessing recycling infrastructure and affording more durable plastic materials remains. These challenges indicate that expanded recycling capacity, logistical support, and assistance with purchasing more durable materials are essential for scaling up farm-scale plastic waste reduction.
“This project was so important because this is a topic that is not as heavily researched within the agricultural sector,” said Zero Waste Washington Community Outreach and Policy Coordinator Nayeli Campos. “Farmers are very aware of the issue of plastic waste on their farms, but it is not a focus area for policymakers just yet. A project like this puts these challenges at the forefront.”
With continued investment in recycling infrastructure and collaboration across the agricultural sector, farmers can get the support they need to transition to more sustainable waste-management practices. Check out the project’s fact sheet to learn more about the findings and helpful tips for reducing plastic waste on farms.
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