NORWICH – The Cornell Cooperative Extension of Chenango County is bringing its agriculture plastics recycling venture to a new level, thanks to a community grant from the Constitution Pipeline.

The Constitution Pipeline recently released more than $350,000 in the third round of its community grant program, $25,000 of which was awarded to the Cornell Cooperative Extension of Chenango County (CCE) to build a pole barn structure that will house recycled ag plastics. CCE says funding will go a long way in carrying out the program's mission to preserve and promote environmental stewardship.

“Just being able to hold that plastic under a roof makes it worth more,” said Emily Anderson, educator for the CCE Recycling Agricultural Plastics Project (RAPP). “This helps makes the process longterm. Once the building is constructed, it will be easier for (farmers) to recycle because all they have to do is make sure the transfer station is open to drop off their plastics.”

Anderson said farmers who wish to drop off recycled plastics should sign up with RAPP and use the program's best practices in recycling guidelines. Plans are in the works to have the structure at the Chenango County waste collection facility in North Norwich, she added.