Prepared by Ralph Pearce for the Agricultural Adaptation Council

In the world of agriculture and the environment, a nagging question has always surrounded the use of bale wrap; namely, ‘What happens to it when the farmer’s done with the hay or straw that’s bound inside it?’ Hundreds of kilometres of the material are used every year, adding up to thousands of kilograms in Ontario, alone. In years past, much of it found its way into landfills or discarded, and it doesn’t break down.

But thanks to an innovative company by the name of Think Plastics Inc., those days are rapidly coming to a close.

Based in New Hamburg, Ontario, Think Plastics has developed a process that turns recycled polyethylene wrap, as well as white greenhouse covering material, into solid and durable alternative to lumber called Baleboard. Unlike plastic composites, which are often blends of wood by-products and various recyclable plastics, Baleboard is 100 per cent polyethylene. The result is a tough, durable board that can be put to numerous uses, without special fasteners or special fittings; it can be used as fence posts, flooring, shelving, stalls or benches. Although it’s not approved for structural usage, it does hold up to power washing, it doesn’t mildew or leach, and horses won’t chew through it.

Baleboard also is attracting attention from municipalities interested in it for outdoor recreational furniture. Since it floats, it’s suitable for use in building docks or for fencing around watercourses.

Best of all, the list of supporters is growing quickly.

Chuck Sparks, president of Think Plastics Inc., has spent four years researching, testing and coordinating the effort of bringing Baleboard to the market. Along the way, he’s garnered interest from various county and regional councils, as well as $272,390 in contributions and loans from the Agricultural Adaptation Council (AAC) in Guelph, Ont. The Ontario Federation of Agriculture (OFA) is also contributing to the success of this venture by assisting in the establishment of the bale wrap collection sites and promoting the initiative at county meetings. Furthermore, benches constructed from Baleboard and information on the collection sites are being included in the OFA’s display at the 2005 International Plowing Match.

Up to 75% of the Baleboard is created from bale wrap, with the remainder coming from greenhouse covering and what Sparks refers to as post-industrial polyethylene. He’s confident that more polyethylene products from the farm can be added in the future, including such things as plastic containers.

Researching and coordinating the collection process and sites for the bale wrap has taken Sparks and Think Plastics’ vice-president Lisa Lackenbauer much of the past two years. Sparks and Lackenbauer have approached municipal and county councils to convince them of the enormous potential, both from an environmental perspective and that of the end product. At present, 23 sites have been established in Bruce, Grey, Huron and Perth counties, along with Peel and Durham regions.

Lackenbauer sees Baleboard as the solution to a long-standing challenge, and a significant win-win situation for everyone involved. “Until now, bale wrap has been burned or put into landfills where it sits forever. The fact that we can create a good quality product while getting rid of an environmental problem, makes it a fabulous project,” says Lackenbauer. “It’s kind of nice to play a part in helping the environment.”

The AAC Board of Directors recently toured Think Plastics Inc.’s New Hamburg facility and were impressed with what they saw. “When you consider the scope of the issue surrounding waste agricultural polyethylene products, including the environment implications and the vast potential for Baleboard, this initiative is having an extremely significant and positive impact,” says Bob Bedggood, AAC Chair. He adds that he likes the vision shown by executives and employees at Think Plastics Inc. “This company is manufacturing an end use product that’s targeted primarily at the farm but it can be used in many ways that also have real benefit beyond the farm.”

In addition to singing the praises of the company’s product, Sparks and Lackenbauer are equally complimentary towards the AAC.

“Lots of people have good ideas, but turning them into reality is not easy. I doubt if we’d have accomplished what we have without AAC’s support; it has been solidly behind us,” acknowledges Lackenbauer. ”AAC provided us with a financial contribution last year to help set up bale wrap collection points. Later we received an additional contribution for marketing and lab testing, and a substantial loan to help get our factory up and running.”

Think Plastics’ website features a video showing farmers how to bundle the used material for transporting it to the collection site, and another video for municipalities and individuals illustrating the benefits of Baleboard will be added soon.

Look for more information at www.thinkplastics.ca.

The Agricultural Adaptation Council is a non-profit, grass roots coalition of 62 agricultural, agribusiness and rural organizations dedicated to providing financial resources to assist Ontario’s agriculture and agri-food industry remain profitable, grow and maintain its economic strength. The AAC receives the majority of its funding through Ontario’s share of Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada’s five year $240 million Advancing Canadian Agriculture and Agri-Food (ACAAF) program.

For information on the AAC please contact the AAC at (519) 822-7554, or visit the website at www.adaptcouncil.org.

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Nadine Buitenhuis,
Communications Coordinator
Agricultural Adaptation Council
Phone: 519-822-7554
Fax: 519-822-6248
E-mail: nadine@adaptcouncil.org
Website: www.adaptcouncil.org