MSU Turf School
December 13th - 16th, 2010»» Details
Recycling Program
Kudos goes to Karen O'Dell and all those at Turfgrass, Inc. for their work on the Agricultural Container Recycling Program (ACRP). The program started in 2005 with just one collection site and one grind location and expanded last year to three collection sites and two grind locations. With enough participation we could possibly add a third grind location for 2007.
For those of you that are not familiar with the program, here it is in a nutshell:
- You simply sign up to participate - at which time you will order a spray nozzle which is being covered by an MTF grant provided by the MDA.
- You will need to learn how to clean your containers properly.
- Your containers are either picked up at your facility or you may schedule an appointment to drop them off at an approved ACRP grind site.
Our success is based on the "weight of plastic" collected not "how many containers" were collected. In 2005 the Gaylord grind site produced 900 lbs, which is great for the first year of the program. However, by expanding state wide, continuing to promote, educate and train the facilities, we had outstanding growth for 2006 - the Gaylord site had 2535 lbs of small containers and 8608 lbs shipped to St. Louis for the big grinder. The Gaylord grand total of 11,143 lbs ended up being the Number 1 grind site in the state of Michigan!
Statewide (including containers from agriculture) the program continues to grow. In 2005 the state of Michigan had 51,938 lbs produced and the turf industry was responsible for 1.7% of the total. In 2006 the state of Michigan did 60,962 lbs and turf was responsible for 21%!
Biomass Energy Program
Michigan Department of Labor and Economic Growth Biomass Energy Program, is working to advance the use of bio-based oils, lubricants and bio-fuels as a viable alternative to petroleum products in Michigan’s golf course industry.
MTF is evaluating the use of turf clippings as a source of biomass energy with funding from the Michigan Department of Labor & Economic Growth Biomass Energy Program.
Are you ready for the future of turfgrass management?
Bio-Based Products in the Turf Industry