Silage Plastic Recycling Scheme



The development of a Silage Plastic Recycling Scheme has been initiated by Dairy Australia to support the industry’s target of implementing a system that collects and recycles 100% of silage wrap in the dairy industry by 2030.

With support from the Commonwealth Government’s National Product Stewardship Investment Fund, Dairy Australia and industry stakeholders have developed a system to support farmers in disposing of silage plastic responsibly to prevent silage ending up in landfill, being burned or buried.

A key stage of the scheme's development was a trial in Western Victoria that saw 90 farmers from dairy and other industries participate from April 2022 to March 2023. Through running the trial, local farmers were able to collect 64 tonnes of silage plastic, which may have otherwise gone to landfill, allowing it to be recovered and recycled.

The trial outcomes have also been used to develop recommendations for a final scheme design which has strong input from farmers and is practical, sustainable and commercially feasible. The learnings are now being used to work with private industry to develop a long-term solution for the responsible disposal of silage plastic wraps and covers on farms.

How it works

Farmers participating in the silage plastic recycling scheme will use recycling bins and special plastic liners or bulk bags for storing their used silage plastic in.

Once net wrap (which can’t be recycled) has been separated from the bale wrap and farmers have shaken off any large solids, the plastic silage wrap is stored in the lined bin. Once the bin is full, the liners are tied off and farmers can drop off the plastic at a local collection centre (for free) or contact the collection scheme operator to arrange on-farm pick up (paying a small fee for this service). The plastic is then taken to a recycling centre where it will be processed and turned into pellets which can be used to make a wide range of recycled plastic products. 

Register interest

Register to participate in silage plastic recycling for when the service reaches your area.

Resources

  • Silage Plastic Recycling Trial ReportPDF1.66 MB
  • How To Prepare Silage Wrap For RecyclingPDF1.05 MB
  • How To Prepare Silage Pit Covers For RecyclingPDF104.95 KB
  • Frequently Asked QuestionsPDF619.28 KB

Contact us

Ian Olmstead
Program Manager - Manufacturing Innovation and Sustainability

Email: show email address

Phone: 03 9694 3811


    Discover more

    
    X
    You're viewing the WestVic Dairy website. To view other regional dairy information, select a region.
    X
    Cookies help Dairy Australia improve your website experience. By using our website, you agree to our use of cookies.
    Confirm