Silage wrap plastic is a type of plastic that protects round bales of forage from weather conditions. It has excellent strength and can keep the forage safe for an extended period. It also helps to prevent fungus deterioration and feed waste.
Agricultural plastic films are usually used once and then discarded [17]. The resulting waste is often burned on fields, causing pollution and leaving traces of microplastics in the soil. For more biodegradable silage wrap, click here.
Biodegradable
Biogone has created Australia’s first eco-smart silage wrap and hay bale net from biodegradable plastic. The company’s biodegradable plastic is infused with an additive that attracts natural microorganisms and breaks them into organic matter. It makes it more eco-friendly and reduces the amount of waste in landfills. It can also be recycled into new products.
The results showed that the MB-based films maintained good silage quality until 85 days of conservation, with yeast and mould counts similar to those of oxygen barrier film and even better aerobic stability. These findings suggest that developing a degradable material to cover silage up to 6 mo after ensiling could be possible.
Recyclable
Silage wrap is recyclable as long as it’s bundled up tightly, collected and not mixed with bailing twine. It can also be donated to local councils for recycling as part of their agricultural waste program. It helps to keep the environment clean and promotes the image of farming in a regional area. It is also better than throwing the wrap into a landfill, burning it or burying it.
A new biopolymer developed by three Imperial College London PhD students could provide an alternative to discarded plastic bale wrapping and netting. Nick Aristidou, Will Joyce, and Stelios Chatzimichail hope to lace the new plastic with nutrients or probiotics to make it edible, and they say it’s possible that livestock could eat the wrap instead of straw.
Eco-friendly
A team of researchers has developed a biodegradable silage wrap for round bales. This eco-friendly wrap protects hay and other agricultural products from UV rays and destructive elements. It also reduces waste by lowering or eliminating the need for string and net wrap. Its transparency also allows farmers to monitor the quality of their hay.
The additive used to make this biodegradable silage plastic does not harm the environment. When disposed of in modern landfills, it degrades up to 90% faster than conventional plastics, resulting in organic matter and no microplastics. It is also recyclable with soft plastics where facilities exist.
The researchers’ innovation may be the next step in farming’s journey to a more environmentally friendly future. Keelie Reason is a writer for Western Packaging and blogs about wholesale supplies. She is passionate about the environment and hopes that innovations will continue to reduce world waste. She currently lives in Australia. For more biodegradable silage wrap, click here.
Durable
Researchers at the University of Guelph in Ontario have developed a biodegradable silage wrap that they hope will replace plastic. The new material is made from organic materials, including potato cutin and corn protein zein. These materials help the film to hold together and protect bales from moulds. The team also tested it for rodents, and it was effective at repelling them.
The clear wrap can be used for up to 12 months and is UV-protected to withstand harsh weather. It has high elongation at break and can keep oxygen out, which is vital for making quality hay.
It can be more expensive than a coloured wrap, but the farmers who use it will save money in the long run by utilising less energy and avoiding pollution. Many farms are deciding to switch from traditional coloured wraps to biodegradable products. They are recognising that it will make them more profitable in the future. For more biodegradable silage wrap, click here.