Red Paint - 11/18/2019 13:10 MN Mike, Plastic never breaks down. It just gets smaller. And smaller. And smaller. Eventually it turns into “Microplastic” waste which can be extremely small (think in partial-micron scale). These tiny particles exist in your soil permanently. They wash into waterways and ponds, work their way into your water table and wells, and can become airborne when working soil. They’ve even been found in rain droplets. Microplastic contamination in water is starting to gain notice as a long term major issue and plastic residue washing out of fields will be a major contributor in economies like ours. If people think farm phosphorus is creating controversy, just wait. That plastic is never going away. Any plastic I buy on this farm, leaves this farm for a landfill. Period. Tell us how plastic builds up in the rumen of a cow, and can cause death, that is the only thing that will wake up a rancher, if losses hurt enough. Most that use it know all about that wonderful attribute. Now with those trying to pick up iced down plastic wrapped bales they are unwrapping and falling apart. |