Ore. plastics recycler converts agricultural plastics into oil

March 16 -- An Oregon-based plastics recycler is the first in the country to convert agricultural plastics in to crude oil and ship it to a refinery for commercial processing, according to the state Economic & Community Development Department.

Agri-Plas recycles materials such as agricultural films, greenhouse cover, mixed nursery and jug material and prepackaged food containers and lids.

"The fact that Agri-Plas has been able to take plastic that would otherwise go directly into the waste stream and convert it into a commercial product that can eventually be pumped into a gas tank is truly groundbreaking," said Tim McCabe, director of the Oregon Economic & Community Development Department.

Agri-Plas is operating a plastic-to-oil converting unit in Brooks, Ore., with plans to expand the site.

The company recently shipped a tanker of 8,200 gallons of oil to a refinery in Tacoma, Wash., the development department said.

Contact Waste & Recycling News senior reporter Jim Johnson at 937-964-1289 or jpjohnson@crain.com