Plastics in the Agriculture Industry
In recent years, plastics in agriculture have greatly influenced the way that farmers produce crops, increase the quality of foods produced, and reducing the ecological footprint. Plastic can allow plants, fruits, and vegetables to grow year-round; but they also allow these crops to produce at a much better quality for mass production.
By implementing the uses of new plastic material for agricultural purposes, water usage is decreased, growing temperatures are maintained, and crops that normally need rich soil and frequent watering can even grow efficiently in drier climates. Plastic pipes can increase the chance that farmers will not waste water or valuable nutrients for their crops. Above all, plastic has given crops the protection it needs with structures like greenhouses and low tunnels.
With that being said, Plastic Service Centers are a proud plastic distributor leading the way for all the necessary advances in the agricultural industry. Let’s take a look at some of the ways that plastic has made the process of agriculture significantly more efficient:
Greenhouses and Low Tunnels
As mentioned above, greenhouses and low tunnels made from plastic have changed the game in the agriculture industry for many years now.
Greenhouses act like temperature-controlled bubbles designed to keep crops growing steadily while avoiding variable extreme weather conditions. Afraid of a dry spell in the weather, or perhaps an ongoing downpour drowning out your crops? Greenhouses help by eliminating these unpredictable changes with the possibility to still create feasible environmental conditions for your crops.
Low tunnels are similar to the features of greenhouses in that they are designed to maintain crop health and refrain from combatting the variations in the weather. Much like plastic greenhouses, plastic low tunnels are designed to be installed on the ground – much like a tube running around the line of crops. Farmers will install low tunnels for smaller crops, like carrots, potatoes, asparagus, berries, and more.
Plastic Irrigation Systems and Water Reservoirs
When acting together, plastic water reservoirs and irrigation systems and water management bring efficiency and sustainability to farming. Large plastic water reservoirs can hold rainwater as well as water from water lines to dispense in irrigation systems throughout the farm. Plastics do a number of great things to additionally prevent water from leaking as well as keep the circulation of water flow constant and efficient.
Silage and Storage of Grains
Plastic silage is an application used in the agricultural industry to preserve food for farm animals as well as other natural materials – such as hay – for storage. For farmers in climates with four seasons, silages are essential to keep overflow of grains and natural products through the cold, non-growing months. The durable plastic material in silages keep food for animals fresh and away from harmful bacteria that might develop otherwise.
Mulching and Other Plastic Applications
Mulching – or covering the ground around crops with plastic film – maintains the humidity while evaporation or moisture in the air is reduced. This application is important for crops grown in drier climates to keep as much moisture and humidity locked into the ground for the crops as possible. This method will also increase the thermal conditions for the roots of crops, can avoid the contact of the plant with the ground, and prevent overgrowth or weeds from stealing water or nutrients away from the crops.
Other kinds of plastic systems in agriculture include utilizing crates and boxes; retrofitting irrigation systems with plastic spray cones for a wider area of water coverage; and utilizing recyclable plastic materials for less waste. Plastic crates and boxes are very long-lasting and have a variety of purposes like collecting harvested crops and transporting the harvests. In addition to spray cones preserving water consumption, plastic is recyclable, and can be ground up and reengineered into other forms of materials to use.
Trust Plastic Service Centers for Thermoplastic Resin, Glass Fiber, and Carbon Fiber Products
Plastic Service Centers offers you selection and availability from our 4,000,000+ pounds of inventory.
We stock a complete line of bulk plastic resins, including thermoplastic resins, automotive approved polymers, carbon fiber, commodity polymers, including prime, generic, wide-specification, custom compounds, and other various engineered resins and plastics. Our solid relationships with manufacturers and worldwide logistics partners give you reliable access to the plastic resin products you need, when and where you need it. We also have special pricing on some resins including surplus resins.
Located in Clinton Township, Michigan, Plastic Service Centers has distribution centers throughout the U.S. to help us serve our clients quickly and conveniently. We work closely with our customers to ensure high quality and competitive prices for every single order. Trust us to be your carbon fiber or new plastic resin distributors, and we’ll work hard to exceed your expectations. Just give us a call (586) 307-3900 if you have questions or would like to request a quote. Or, fill out the contact form on our website.