Texas Superplant Turns Farm Plastic Waste Into Profit

Texas plant recycles 7.5M pounds of farm plastic monthly, reshaping waste into a profitable resource.

5 Jun 2025

A $150mn recycling facility in Waller, Texas, has begun large-scale operations to process farm plastic waste, one of the most difficult categories of material to recycle in the US.

Opened in May and run by WM's Natura PCR unit, the site can recycle up to 7.5mn pounds of agricultural film each month. The plastics include bale wraps and greenhouse covers, which have traditionally been sent to landfill.

The plant converts the contaminated material into high-grade resin that can be reused in manufacturing. Supporters say the system lowers disposal costs for growers, reduces reliance on virgin plastics and diverts large volumes of waste from landfill.

"This kind of capacity is exactly what the industry has needed," said a spokesperson for the Agricultural Plastics Recycling Council. "It's not just about handling waste, it's about designing a scalable solution that serves both farmers and manufacturers."

Farmers face increasing pressure to limit their environmental impact, with used film disposal among the more costly and cumbersome challenges. The new facility provides an outlet for this waste while supplying manufacturers with a steady stream of recycled input.

Analysts expect the initiative to influence the broader supply chain by lowering emissions and supporting sustainability targets. They also see potential for similar projects in other agricultural centres.

Remaining obstacles include differences in state recycling laws and ensuring long-term demand for recycled resins. But industry groups view the Waller facility as a model for scaling circular approaches in agriculture.

By combining investment and technology, the project has positioned itself as an early test of whether agricultural plastics can be reliably brought back into production cycles rather than discarded.