Farm Plastic Waste Transformed into Building Materials

Australian Innovation Tackles Growing Agricultural Pollution

A surge in recycling initiatives is diverting tons of plastic farm waste from landfills, turning discarded materials into valuable resources like furniture and construction supplies. This addresses a critical environmental challenge for Australian agriculture.

Massive Waste Stream Addressed

Australian farms generate approximately 110,000 tonnes of plastic waste annually, but options for recycling soft plastics and twine have historically been limited. A plan unveiled earlier this year aims to prevent 45,000 tonnes of agricultural bags from ending up in landfills or being illegally burned.

Leap Forward for Sustainability

An industry-led, non-profit program called bagMUSTER is gaining momentum in Victoria, with plans for expansion. The scheme, modeled after successful chemical drum recycling programs, allows farmers to return used plastic bags to retailers for processing into new agricultural products.

“It’s a huge leap forward for farm recycling.”

—Matthew Cossey, CropLife Australia chief executive

According to a 2023 report by the Australian Department of Agriculture, Fisheries and Forestry, agricultural plastics represent approximately 20% of all plastic waste generated in rural areas. Source: Department of Agriculture, Fisheries and Forestry

Tackling the Twine Problem

Plastic twine used to bind hay and straw often accumulates in farm sheds, contaminated with soil and other debris. Traditionally, this material has been discarded in landfills or burned on-site. Researchers at La Trobe University in Bendigo have developed a machine to melt and reform the twine into durable products.

Ing Kong, an Engineering Associate Professor, explains that the twine can be transformed into garden planters, outdoor furniture, and even construction materials like decking and fence posts. The newly invented machine, developed by Rtech, can process contaminated twine efficiently.

“There has been no incentive to recycle bale twine because it is a single-use, bulky and contaminated product with dirt, small rocks and such. But this particular machine, invented by Rtech, can actually take a significant amount of contaminate and still process it.”

—Ing Kong, La Trobe University Engineering Associate Professor

The machine is designed to be cost-effective and suitable for on-farm use, allowing farmers to process waste into 1-metre cubes for local manufacturing or export.

Addressing a Long-Standing Issue

Katherine Delbridge, chief executive of the Australian Seed Federation, acknowledges that plastic waste disposal has been a persistent challenge for farmers.

“We have plastic for a reason. It protects products. But we know we have a responsibility to do something with that plastic.”

—Katherine Delbridge, Australian Seed Federation chief executive

The cost of landfill disposal has led many farmers to bury or burn plastic waste. Alicia Garden, general manager of Agsafe, notes that current recycling capacity is limited, with only about 15,000 tonnes of soft plastic recycling available annually across all industries.

New regulations prohibiting overseas recycling are driving the need for domestic solutions. A dedicated facility for recycling silage wrap is currently under construction in Albury and is expected to be operational later this year or early next year.

These advancements represent a significant step towards a more sustainable future for Australian agriculture, reducing environmental impact and creating new economic opportunities.