Ted Kaiser

Markets for Ag Plastics

Ted Kaiser, President, Dock 7 Materials Group, LLC

The recycling of agricultural plastics remains a pressing challenge and a promising opportunity within the broader context of sustainable materials management. This presentation provides an up-to-date overview of current export markets and emerging domestic outlets for recycled agricultural plastics, highlighting key shifts in market demand and quality requirements. Additionally, it will offer insights into ongoing discussions with government entities aimed at fostering supportive policies and funding mechanisms to enable more robust collection infrastructure. By aligning public sector involvement with private market opportunities, the presentation will explore scalable solutions to improve the economic viability of agricultural plastic recovery and recycling, with a focus on actionable strategies for stakeholders across the supply chain.

Ted Kaiser is the President and founder of Dock 7 Materials Group, LLC, a global plastics recycling business with over $70 million in gross sales since 2008. Dock 7 supplies feedstock materials such as plastic scrap, regrinds, and resins to mechanical and advanced/chemical recycling facilities. Ted is particularly known for his expertise in agricultural plastics which are recycled less frequently and garner less attention from sustainability initiatives.

Ted and his team at Dock 7 have a wealth of experience in bringing these plastic waste materials to market through solving complex logistical and collection challenges. Dock 7 was named The New Jersey District Export Council’s Exporter of the Year for 2024 for its efforts in establishing prolific international recycling markets. Ted has personally worked with customers and vendors from at least 51 countries and the company moves between 100 and 300 containers or truck loads monthly.

In 2013, Ted was named a “Rising Star” under the age of 40 by Plastics News and has been published in multiple publications including Resource Recycling’s Plastics Recycling Update. He has spoken at conferences such as the Agricultural Plastics Recycling Conference, AMI’s Agricultural Film Conference, NPE: The Plastic Show, ISRI (now REMA annual conference), and The Pesticide Stewardship Alliance Annual Conference. Ted remains involved with his alma mater, the University of Southern California where he holds a Bachelor of Science in Business Administration. Ted is a member of the Cardinal and Gold Athletic Support Group and is Outreach Co-Chair for the Class of 2005 20-year Reunion.