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Fence of the future

Fence posts made of recycled plastic solve problems with trash

Janelle Atyeo
Jan 26, 2024
Jan 26, 2024

1 of 3

Ole looks out from his corral, secured with Sustainable Products fence posts (in black) at Joy Ranch.

Tri-State Neighbor photo by Janelle Atyeo

Sustainable Products owner Avery Zahn shows the shredded waste that is turned into fence posts and lumber at his facility south of Lennox, S.D.

Tri-State Neighbor photo by Janelle Atyeo

Avery Zahn shows a round post made at Sustainable Products out of recycled plastic and other waste material.

Tri-State Neighbor photos by Janelle Atyeo

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Janelle Atyeo

Good fences make good neighbors, and a new type of fence post being made in southeastern South Dakota is also good for the environment.

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Joy Nelson talks about the benefits of having plastic-based fence posts from Sustainable Products in an area that’s often muddy on her Joy Ranch property north of Watertown, S.D.
Tri-State Neighbor photo by Janelle Atyeo

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Sustainable fence posts (62).JPG — Ole looks out from his corral, secured with Sustainable Products fence posts (in black) at Joy Ranch.
Tri-State Neighbor photo by Janelle Atyeo

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WEB-Sustainable-fence-posts-(8).jpg — A conveyor belt brings waste plastic, from laundry detergent bottles to pet food bags, to a machine where it’s shredded.
Tri-State Neighbor photo by Janelle Atyeo

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Sustainable fence posts (2).JPG — Sustainable Products owner Avery Zahn holds a jar of the shredded waste that is turned into fence posts and lumber at his facility south of Lennox, S.D.
Tri-State Neighbor photo by Janelle Atyeo

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Sustainable fence posts (12).JPG — Six-inch fence posts are stacked at the Sustainable Products manufacturing plant near Lennox, S.D.
Tri-State Neighbor photo by Janelle Atyeo

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Janelle Atyeo is a small town South Dakota girl enjoying her work as regional editor of the Midwest Messenger and Tri-State Neighbor while raising kids and no-till vegetables in central Sioux Falls. Reach her at janelle.atyeo@lee.net.