MNLA's Green Industry Recycling Program

Good news! Choice Plastics has provided a commitment to the MNLA recycling program for the 2010 season.

To sign up for the 2010 Recycling Program, fax this signed form to MNLA at 651-633-4987 or 888-266-4986.

Choice Plastics did NOT earn any net profit from the program in 2009. Consequently, the program must be run leaner and more efficiently in 2010 – and that will take great cooperation from participating members. The challenges included mixed materials, lack of cleanliness, significant labor expenditures, and low-end market pricing on these low-end materials.

Despite the challenges, Choice is very committed to MNLA and the recycling program. Hopefully the new parameters will help extend this program well into the future without significantly hampering member’s ability to collect and deliver the material to Choice for recycling.

For the 2010 season, the program will start April 15th and run thru October 15th. Below are the parameters, which suppliers or garden centers MUST adhere to in order to participate in the program:

• All incoming loads MUST HAVE A DOCK TIME and no material will be dropped outside in 2010. Delivery drivers will check in at the Choice offices and receive dumping instructions. A member of the Choice Plastics staff will conduct a visual inspection of each load.
  
• Choice will accept ONE DUMPSTER per day as well as ONE SMALL LOAD from a non-dumpster facility per day. Members will need to be aware that the schedule during the busy months may push them out several days or more when they call for a dock appointment. There will be no exceptions to this schedule. Choice must regulate the inflow of material.
  
• Choice will no longer accept any types of AG Film, Silage Bags, or any other types of greenhouse film or bags. The only acceptable materials for 2010 will be the rigid plastics-pots, trays, flats, and containers. If there is any question about whether a particular material is acceptable, members can call the Choice offices for an answer.
  
• Members must do the best they can to eliminate outside waste, garbage, heavy organic matter, aluminum cans, etc. Non-compliance with these parameters will result in rejection of the dumpster at the door. If Choice accepts a dumpster and later finds excessive non-conforming material, pictures will be taken to document the materials and disposal fees will be assessed to the member in question. Choice had significant disposal fees in 2009 as a result of non-plastic material in the dumpsters.