Monsanto Maui Recycles 222,000 Pounds of Plastic Drip Line

Monsanto’s recent recycling efforts kept 222,040 pounds of drip line out of Maui’s landfills. Courtesy photo.

By Maui Now Staff

More than 222,000 pounds of plastic drip line were recycled from Monsanto Hawaiʻi’s Maui farm, according to a company announcement issued today.

Company representatives called the drip line irrigation system an “environmentally friendly” method that reduces the amount of water needed to grow a crop.

As the rubbish from discarded tubing accumulates over time, the company recycles it to keep the waste out of the landfill, the announcement said.

The baled material reportedly represents several years worth of accumulated drip line.

“We believe it’s important to be environmentally responsible in our daily operations,” said Joe McClure, Maui Operations Lead for Monsanto Hawaiʻi in a company issued press release. “By making every effort to reuse and recycle materials that could otherwise head to our island’s landfills, we’re helping to do our part to keep Maui green,” he said.

Company representatives describe Monsanto as a provider of technology-based solutions and agricultural products aimed at improving farm productivity and food quality.

Company executives recently signed a Memorandum of Understanding with Maui Mayor Alan Arakawa relating to transparency involving disclosure of the company’s restricted-use pesticides.

The Maui County AG Oversight Agreement was signed in November, and comes after bills were passed on Kauaʻi and in Hawaiʻi County, involving restrictions on the use of pesticides in those respective communities.