Irrigation Drip Tape Recycling Pilot
Southern Downs Regional Council is delivering a six-month Agricultural Plastic Recycling Pilot to improve recycling options for agricultural use plastics across the region.
Proudly supported by the Queensland Government, the pilot will trial new ways for growers to collect, prepare and recycle agricultural plastics like drip tape and netting, helping reduce landfill waste and support more sustainable farming practices across the Southern Downs.
About the pilot
Agricultural plastics play an important role in modern farming. Materials such as irrigation drip tape, protective netting and plastic mulch help growers manage water use, improve crop protection and increase productivity.
However, once these materials reach the end of their useful life, they can be difficult to manage and recycle due to their size, contamination and transport requirements.
The Southern Downs Agricultural Plastic Recycling Pilot aims to test practical solutions that make it easier for growers to recycle these materials rather than sending them to landfill.
New Equipment
As part of the pilot, Council has purchased a specialised piece of equipment known as an Andros Ultra Binder. This machine will be attached to the back of a tractor and is designed to efficiently collect used irrigation drip tape from paddocks and wind it into tight, dense coils ready for recycling.
By coiling the drip tape into compact rolls, the equipment makes the material easier to handle, transport and store, while also improving the quality of the plastic collected for recycling.
The machine is lightweight and transportable, allowing it to be used across a range of properties and irrigation systems. This equipment will be available free of charge for local growers to use, helping them prepare irrigation drip tape for recycling before transporting it to the Stanthorpe Waste Management Facility.
Book the equipment - click here to head to the booking page.
The pilot will:
- trial improved collection and preparation methods for agricultural plastics
- provide access to specialised equipment to help prepare irrigation drip tape for recycling
- support growers to participate in recycling programs
- test systems that may be expanded across the region in the future.
The pilot will provide practical insights to strengthen agricultural plastic recycling in the Southern Downs, while creating a model that can be adapted by councils across Queensland.
Why agricultural plastic recycling matters
Recycling agricultural plastics supports a circular economy, where materials are reused and repurposed rather than discarded as waste.
When properly collected and processed, agricultural plastics can be recycled into new products such as pipes, construction materials and other durable plastic goods.
Improving recycling outcomes can help:
- reduce the amount of plastic waste sent to landfill
- minimise environmental pollution
- support more sustainable farming practices
- reduce reliance on imported virgin plastics
- strengthen local recycling supply chains
- support long-term environmental and economic sustainability.
FAQs and helpful resources
The irrigation drip tape needs to be tightly coiled with minimal contamination to ensure it can be easily recycled. A recoiler can be used to coil the tape and separate mulch and irrigation tape.
To help increase recovery Council has purchased the Andros Ultra Binder, which tightly coils the irrigation drip tape and minimises contamination. This allows for more efficient transport from the farm to the Stanthorpe Waste Management Facility, and then onto recycling.
This equipment is available for use by individual farmers or contractors at no cost during the pilot and can be picked up from the Stanthorpe Waste Management Facility or collected from the previous farmer using it.
The equipment must be booked in advance by contacting RMCG on 0451 982 442 or via email to agplastic.SDRC@gmail.com or through the booking page.
Guidance on how to use the equipment will be provided via a QR code attached to the equipment, or you can also access information on the Andros website online.
Irrigation tape can be dropped off at Stanthorpe Waste Management Facility, 94 Rifle Range Rd, Stanthorpe, QLD 4380. Opening hours: Monday - Sunday 8am-5pm.
Although coiling irrigation drip tape is encouraged, uncoiled drip tape will continue to be accepted but drop-off will be at a different area.
The viability of recovering protective netting and plastic mulch will be tested in the pilot.
RMCG is exploring interest of mechanical recyclers in taking protective netting and clean plastic mulch. Get in contact with RMCG on 0451 982 442 or via email to agplastic.sdrc@gmail.com if you would like to discuss possible solutions for these plastics.
The pilot will run for a 6-month period from the end of March 2026 to August 2026.
Although the collection for irrigation drip tape is ongoing, the pilot is focusing on increasing the recycling of this material. After this, Council will continue with the collection site incorporating lessons from the pilot. The continuation of collection and recycling of netting and mulch is subject to the findings of the pilot.
Collected agricultural plastics will be recycled through mechanical recycling methods. The pilot has partnered with reputable recyclers who can mechanically process irrigation tape into new plastic products. This includes turning irrigation tape into pellets.
Other useful resources:
Funding and collaboration
This work is being undertaken in collaboration with RMCG and Granite Belt Growers Association and proudly supported by the Queensland Government.
Find out more - Contact us
For more information about the Southern Downs Agricultural Plastic Recycling Pilot, including guidance on preparing irrigation drip tape and other agricultural plastics for recycling, please contact:
RMCG – Agricultural Plastic Recycling Pilot (Natasha Frazer)
0451 982 442
agplastic.SDRC@gmail.com
Southern Downs Regional Council
1300 MY SDRC (1300 697 372)
agplastic.SDRC@gmail.com