Getting rid of the wrap used to cover up silage and high moisture hay bales used to present a major headache for Island farmers. However, thanks to the leading edge technology developed by Island Plastics, that silage may now eventually become a fence post or a 2 x 4.
With help from the P.E.I. ADAPT Council which administers funding from the Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada CARD Program, the Stratford company has become a national leader in the field of turning waste into plastic building materials.
The company was started in 1998 by Darryl Gallagher and Austin Boyd. Today, Joseph MacInnis is the manager of the company's operation on the Mason Road -- the two original owners are exploring the idea of franchising out the space age technology.
MacInnis said the most recent piece of equipment purchased for the company is a specially designed press that holds the molds in place from which the various lengths of building materials are constructed. As a further testament to Island ingenuity, the press was constructed at Cardigan Bearing and Steel.
"We have had the machine for about a year now and it works like a charm," MacInnis said.
Earlier funding from the ADAPT Council allowed the company to purchase a specially designed densifier and shredder so they could handle the "stretch" wrap -- the most common type used in the province. That technology allowed them to clean material and cut it to useable lengths.
"We have about four or five farmers coming in a day dropping off wrap," MacInnis said. "I would estimate we are getting about a quarter of the silage wrap used on Prince Edward Island - we now have the capacity to handle it all." In addition to the silage wrap, the company handles other types of plastics like grocery bags, recyclable blue bags and French fry bags.
In the East Prince region, farmers can drop off their silage bags at the Island Waste Management Commission office and Island Plastics will pick them up.
While there are other firms in the Maritimes selling plastic-made building materials, Island Plastics is the only manufacturer in the region. "Right now we sell throughout the Maritimes and we have just recently branched into Quebec," MacInnis said. "We are quite excited about the way the business is growing."
During the winter months, the firm has four full-time employees, but during the peak building supply season, that usually goes up to 10 or 15. They offer a complete line of building supplies including 2 x 4, 2 x 6 and plywood for the agricultural, commercial, fisheries or residential use. The 100 percent recycled product comes with a lifetime guarantee.
MacInnis said the product has proven popular for fences, compost bins, potato storage barns and lobster traps.
This article is one of a series prepared for the Prince Edward Island Agriculture Awareness Committee to highlight innovations in the agriculture industry.