Vermont Ag Plastics Management & Recycling Workshop

Draft Agenda

10:00 Welcome

• Adam Wienert – Northeast Waste Management Officials’ Association

10:10 History of Agriculture Plastics Recycling in Vermont

• Natalie Starr – DSM Environmental Services

10:30 Markets Discussion

• Moderator, Carolyn Grodinsky, Waste Prevention Coordinator – Vermont Agency of Natural Resources
• Results of a marketing plan for a Vermont-based, plastic lumber manufacturer using agricultural film for feedstock – Anne MacMillan, Agency of Agriculture
• Current status of New England and national markets – Lois Levitan, Cornell University Recycling Ag Plastics Project (RAPP) Program Leader

11:30 Best Management Practices

• Guidelines for proper handling of agriculture and horticultural plastics to prepare for recycling
• Quality Control, Compaction, and Transportation: What infrastructure and equipment are needed, and why

12:15 Lunch – Lunch will be provided to those who registered by April 9th

1:00 Promoting Product Stewardship for Film Plastics

• Jen Holliday, VTPSC Coordinator & Environmental and Safety Compliance Manager – Chittenden Solid Waste District
  • How can Vermont and the Vermont Product Stewardship Council (VPSC) encourage a greater manufacturer role?
  • What is the role of framework legislation for agriculture films?

1:45 Market Development: Lessons Learned in NY – What Can We Do in VT?

• Lois Levitan
  • Can we work with plastics manufacturers in the Northeast to promote use of agriculture plastics as feedstock?
  • What are strategies for developing consumer markets for products made from used agriculture plastics?
    • Increasing procurement of products made from recycled materials
    • Endorsing and branding such products as “green” and “sustainable”
    • Promoting recognition for farmers that recycle their agriculture plastics. What recognition programs could be used?

2:15 Updates from Workshop Participants – Roundtable

2:45 Next Steps

3:00 Adjourn