Silage Wrap and Pit Covers

An estimated  4,000 tonnes of silage wrap and 1,000 tons of silage pit covers are used on farm every year in Australia. Most of this is consumed in the dairy industry.
There are approx 8,000 dairy farms in Australia. 67% of Australia’s dairy production is centred in Victoria.
The average dairy herd is 275 cows.* Industry estimates are that a cow will consume one and a half bales of silage per year. Silage is fed out  for 60 days usually from late summer through till winter. Each silage wrap contains over 1kg of plastic. Therefore the average dairy farm has
over 300 kgs of silage wrap plastic to dispose of each year.

*DAIRY AUSTRALIA 2009 REPORT

Silage Wrap Recycling

The Plasback "Silage Wrap Only" recycling liner, now offers farmers a low cost option to recycle both silage wrap and silage pit covers. You should fit between 16 and 20 wraps in a Plasback liner. Using a Plasback bin (made from Tuffboard) will help maximise the number of wraps you get in each liner.

 To recycle silage wrap, the following proceedure :

1. Shake off excess silage and moisture                      2. Roll the wrap into a fooball 

3. Push down tightly into the liner                                  4. tie off when full and remove bin

 5. Stock pile (out of weather if possible)                         6. drop at local landfill once you have a load

Silage Pit Cover Recycling

Silage pit covers can only be accepted for drop of in a Plasback "Silage Wrap Only" green printed recycling liner.

The method outlined below maximises the amount you can get into a liner.  It is important to ensure loose silage has been shaken off the cover before folding. A pit cover section of up to 10m x 15mm will fit in one Plasback liner once properly folded and rolled. see below.

 Clear silo stop liners can not be accepted at this stage.

Plasback bins and liners can be purchased from Murray Goulburn Trading, AIRR stores or any other progressive rural retailer.