Bring collection site network open for plastic this summer
Waste farm plastics include silage bale wraps, silage pit covers, plastic packaging for fertiliser and meal ration and agricultural chemical containers.
Temporary bring collection sites are being authorised for use, approved by county councils. All contractors and onward recycling facilities used by IFFPG have necessary permits and licences in place.
Farmers not availing of these IFFPG temporary bring collection sites must dispose of their waste farm plastics in an environmentally safe manner — by ensuring that only waste collectors with a valid waste collection permit are used, and that waste farm plastics are brought to facilities or temporary bring sites that have appropriate authorisation.
When a farmer purchases farm plastic for use in wrapping silage bales or covering silage pits from a compliant retailer, there is an in-built charge, the recycling levy, applied to the sale price of farm plastic product.
This recycling levy is used by IFFPG to help fund and operate the temporary collection bring centres and on-farm collections throughout the country, in order to ensure that waste farm plastic is collected and recycled in an environmentally safe manner.
The sale of all levied plastic is recorded, using a special labelling system, allowing IFFPG and county councils to monitor and track the sale of farm plastic.
When farmers purchase farm plastic from a compliant retailer, they are provided with a sales receipt and a valid label code as proof of payment of the recycling levy.
It is through providing proof of this valid label code, in conjunction with the sales receipt, at a bring centre or on-farm collection operated by IFFPG, that a farmer may avail of the subsidised collection rate on waste farm plastic.
Anyone who supplies farm plastic that is not part of a registered compliance scheme is breaking the law. The purchasing of so-called unlevied farm plastic also undermines compliant farm plastic retailers and agri-businesses, potentially putting businesses and jobs at risk.
Farmers are required to ensure that all wastes arising from day-to-day activities on farms are managed in a correct manner. Burning or burying waste farm plastic is against the law.
Farmers are advised to retain all documentation relating to farm waste recycling and disposal.
Further information on bring site locations and dates and times of operation may be obtained from IFFPG’s www.farmplastics.ie website.
