Horticultural plug trays are made of 100% recyclable polystyrene. The Canadian Polystyrene Recycling Association (CPRA) accepts these used seedling containers at their state-of-the-art recycling center in Mississauga, Ontario. As a grower you use large quantities of plug trays that have the potential to generate revenue for you. By following the simple steps listed below, plug trays that may be going to landfills can now be diverted for recycling and made into new plug trays.
HOW TO COLLECT, STORE & TRANSPORT.
Each grower will have his/her own unique planting and transplanting system and it is important not to disrupt that system to accommodate plug tray recycling.
COLLECTION & STORAGE
1. Identify all generation points of empty plug trays.
2. To collect the trays, you will need a bin to deposit the residual soil and a pallet or rolling cart to store nested trays. It is important to note that the residual soil must be knocked out of the tray before it is nested. The trays do not need to be rinsed or washed. Nesting the trays allows for maximum shipping volume. Depending on the size of your operation, there may be several ways you can collect plug trays. If you have a mechanized transplant line, empty trays can simply be taken off at the end of the conveyer and nested and stacked on a pallet. However, if you are a smaller operation and transplant by hand, you will need to collect trays at various transplant areas and take them to a central storage area for nesting and stacking of pallets.
3. Trays collected from various points in the greenhouse need to be stored on pallets in an area accessible to a transport truck. To make the best use of the pallet, nested trays you can lay them on their side and stack seven high (2 piles per layer). Shrink wrapping trays will prevent shifting during transport.
TRANSPORT
1. For tractor trailer load quantities (24 pallets), simply call CPRA and they will make arrangements to have your material picked up within a couple of days. If you wish to transport the material yourself, our receiving hours are Monday-Friday, 9am-4pm (no apt. necessary).
2. For quantities less than a truckload, call CPRA and let them know how many pallets you have. They will try to make arrangements with other small generators to make up a full load. Either way, CPRA will ensure your plug trays are picked up and taken to their facility for recycling.
If you require further assistance, please contact Brad Melmer at
(905) 612-8290, ext. 111.
