Agricultural plastics

State law requires all loads be covered before transport.

what are "ag plastics"?

Agricultural plastics or "ag plastics" covers a wide variety of products and plastic types, including materials used in many common household plastic products.

  • Low density polyethylene (LDPE) and low linear density polyethylene (LLDPE) film – These plastics are used to make silage and haylage bags, bunker silo covers, greenhouse covers, bale wrap, mulch film and other flexible products.

  • High density polyethylene (HDPE)– A more rigid plastic used in pesticide containers and nursery pots.

  • Polystyrene (PS) – Another rigid plastic used in nursery containers and flats.

  • Polypropylene (PP) – Used in nursery pots, row covers and woven tarps.

These items are accepted for disposal in the landfill at standard disposal fees.

Recycling Ag Plastics in Marathon County

Farmers can now work with Revolution Plastics to receive a free on-farm dumpster for ag plastics recycling. Exclusions apply. Not all farms and/or dairies that sign up will qualify for a dumpster. Must meet minimum annual quantities. Shared dumpsters is a possibility. Submit your ag plastics information here to find out if you meet the requirements.

Revolution Service: 
Depending on your location and plastic use, Revolution Plastics will spot and empty a dumpster on your farm or dairy at no cost to you. The program is limited to the collection of the approved plastics below:

> AG PLASTICS: Used irrigation tape and tubing, greenhouse, hoophouse, fumigation and other cover films
> SILAGE PLASTICS: Used bale wrap, ag/grain bags, most bunker covers and oxygen barrier film

Click here for Revolution Program Flyer.                       Click here for Revolution website.

Don't Burn Plastics

What’s so bad about burning ag plastics? It’s unhealthy. Burning plastics releases toxic and potentially cancer causing chemicals into the air. It pollutes. Toxins released into the air during burning can fall on our soils and in our water. It’s unsafe. Burning garbage or brush can lead to wildfires, property damage and sometimes loss of life. The smoke and ash can irritate eyes and lungs, which is especially bad for people with asthma or heart disease.

It’s illegal to burn any plastics in Wisconsin: Under no circumstances should agricultural plastics be burned, even on your property. Wisconsin rules are clear about this. Burning plastics and most other garbage - whether in the open or in burn barrels - is illegal in Wisconsin. Click here for information about illegal burning.

For more information on recycling other types of household plastic film click here.

Social media block