Re-organisation of farm plastic for recycling
The aim is to improve the service to farmers, and also to tackle the issue of non-compliant suppliers who pay nothing towards recycling their plastic film.
Most farmers in the country are now looking to have their plastic recycled, and 9,500 tonnes were handled in 2003.
The Irish Farm Films Producers Group (IFFPG) will organise pilot collection schemes this year based on herd numbers. All herdowners in pilot areas will be written to. Based on their response, they will be given approximate collection dates. If successful, this system will be extended nationwide. But farmers may have to store plastic for up to two years before collection, such is the increase in demand for the service which has exceeded government recycling targets by 36%.
Already, Farm Relief Service collecting agents around the country have 22 lorries working full time (except in the winter months) at plastic collection.
Until new systems are put in place, farmers are asked to contact a 1800 300 444 free phone number to register for collection, giving their herd number. This year, farmers are being asked to keep pit cover sheet plastic and bale plastic separate.
IFFPG has revealed that recycling of farm film is under threat due to many plastic film suppliers not paying a recycling levy for material they sell to farmers.
Sean Campbell of IFFPG said it costs about €200 per tonne to collect plastic, but up to half of it was supplied from companies who have not paid the levy.
By law, all producers and suppliers of farm plastics are required to either join IFFPG (to whom the levy is paid) or to operate their own independent collection scheme.
Farmers can ensure their supplier is paying for recycling by checking if they are members of IFFPG, or by asking for details of their collection scheme. Non-compliant companies will be pursued vigorously by Local Authorities for prosecution.
