An article in the Wadena Pioneer Journal, Wadena, Minnesota, reports that the Recycling Association of Minnesota along with Spadgenske Farms in Menahga, Minnesota, have been named a 2016 Partnership of the Year at the Environmental Initiative Awards Thursday, May 26, 2016.
The partnership was recognized for its Recycling Agricultural and Marine Plastics program. This is an attempt to address the problem of recycling or disposing of agricultural storage plastic and boat shrink film covers. According to the article, material recovery facilities (MRFs) often are unable to process these types of plastics without jamming and damaging their equipment.
“Farmers, solid waste facility managers, boat dealers and others were calling us because they did not have good options for dealing with these waste plastics and they wanted some answers,” Brita Sailer of the Recycling Association of Minnesota told the Journal. “I’m so proud of all the stakeholders who forged a new partnership, starting our state on the road to a common sense solution to this waste challenge.”
The Recycling Association of Minnesota worked with its partners, as well as with government representatives and agricultural and plastic specialists, to address the problem. Pilot hubs have been established throughout the state to test alternative methods of recycling and disposal.
“The Recycling Association of Minnesota and their partners have collaborated on an important project that is creating a better environment for all Minnesotans,” Executive Director Mike Harley of the Minneapolis-based Environmental Initiative told the Journal. “We are grateful for their passion and support of our belief that by working together, we can accomplish great things.”