Welcome to our Farm Waste Reduction Project! Funded by a Public Participation Grant from the Washington State Department of Ecology, this initiative tackles the issue of agricultural plastic waste in Washington.

Big thank you to our Advisory Committee Members for helping guide the project.

Since the project’s launch, we’ve interviewed over 50 farmers across Snohomish, King, Kitsap, Pierce, and nearby counties to better understand waste challenges and identify solutions. From these conversations, we’ve developed three pilot projects aimed at reducing plastic waste and supporting sustainable farming practices:

  1. Nursery Tray 50% Cost-Share Project
  2. Free Reusable CSA/Delivery Box Trial
  3. Nursery Tray Recycling Events

Project #1: Cost-Share (50%) for Durable Nursery Trays

Many farmers rely on nursery trays to grow their crops, but traditional trays often break quickly and end up in landfills. Our Cost-Share Project provides farmers with durable, long-lasting nursery trays at half the cost. These trays are designed to last for decades, significantly reducing waste and the need for frequent replacements.

How It Works
Farmers in King, Kitsap, Pierce and Snohomish counties can order Winstrip durable nursery trays by April 25, 2025, and pay just 50% of their cost, $4.25 per tray. They can then pickup their trays at a location near them on a date (TBD) during the week of May 5th.

To apply, fill out our Application Form.

Project #2: Free Trial of Reusable CSA/Delivery Boxes

Our Free Trial Project provides farmers with reusable CSA (Community Supported Agriculture)/Delivery boxes to test out. These durable boxes are designed for hundreds of uses and are recyclable at the end of their life, making them an excellent alternative to waxed boxes, which are not recycleable.

How It Works
Farmers can sign up by April 25, 2025 to receive 3 free samples of reusable CSA boxes. During the trial, we’ll gather feedback to find out if these boxes meet farmers’ needs.

How to Participate

  • Farmers in King, Kitsap, Pierce, and Snohomish counties can fill out our Reusable CSA/Delivery Box Trial Application by April 25, 2025.
  • Indicate the type(s) of box you would like to trial. Boxes will be available on a first come first serve basis.
  • Boxes will be available for pickup at a designated location near you on a scheduled event date (TBD) during the week of May 5th. If you are unable to attend the event day, limited deliveries may be arranged on a case-by-case. Event details will be shared after your application is confirmed.

Project #3: Nursery Tray Collection & Recycling Events

Plastic nursery trays, pots, and cell packs often end up in the landfill due to limited recycling options. Our Nursery Tray Collection & Recycling Project provides farmers with a convenient way to recycle these items. The collected trays and pots will be processed by Denton Plastics, a company that mechanically recycles plastics.

To learn more about Denton Plastics, visit their website here.

How the Program Works

Collection event dates and times (Information Coming Soon)

Accepted Items:

  • Black or other color plastic nursery trays and pots made from the following:
    1. Polystyrene (#6)
    2. Polypropylene (#5)
  • High Density Polyethylene (#2)
  • Items must be free of large amounts of organic material or debris

Not Accepted:

  • Non plastic items like ceramic, metal, or fiber pots
  • Biodegradable plastics
  • PET plastic (#1), PVC plastic (#3), and LDPE plastic (#4)

This project is funded through a Public Participation Grant from the Washington State Department of Ecology