Demonstrating leadership, the Perdue team at Binghamton, New York’s blending facility is taking an innovative approach to plastic waste management. Input material that arrives at the facility is often wrapped in thin plastic film, which before now wound up in the local landfill. “After putting a proposal together, which ultimately led to the investment in a vertical baler, we are now ready to begin a pilot program that will capture an estimated one to two tons of plastic per month for recycling,” said Brian Rice, Plant Manager, Binghamton. “We are very excited about this project, as the company is not just increasing our recycling rate, we are also ensuring that plastic is truly recycled into other reusable products.”
According to the EPA, plastic accounts for 18.5% of total landfilled waste in the U.S., with 85% of generated plastic ending up in landfills across the country. One ton of recycled plastic saves 7.4 cubic yards of landfill space, which is roughly the size of a small bedroom.
The pilot project in Binghamton directly supports Perdue’s waste reduction efforts, while also tracking with the EPA’s strategy of reducing plastic input, improving post-material management, and preventing waste from entering waterways. A big thanks to our Binghamton team for leading the way in sustainability!