FRS launch bin and liner service for farm plastic disposal
The Farm Relief Service (FRS) have launched an alternative to the Irish Farm Film Producers Group’s (IFFPG) collection service.
Meanwhile, county councils in Longford, Roscommon, Leitrim, Wicklow, North Tipperary and Carlow will be next to give farmers a once-off opportunity to dispose of stockpiled farm plastic.
Farmers in Galway, Mayo, Clare, Offaly and Waterford have already availed of this initiative, by bringing more than 9,300 tonnes of stockpiled farm plastic to designated collection points where it is accepted without charge.
Representing the farm plastics industry and farmers, IFFPG handles plastic from these free local authority schemes, while also offering its own nationwide collection service, though 12 contractors, charging €100 per tonne.
The charge for the new FRS system is more complicated. Users must first purchase a bin for €395, five bin liners will cost €29, and the on-farm collection charges will be €70 for the first liner and €60 for each subsequent liner.
The user deposits waste plastic in the bin, a method designed to keep farmyards free from unsightly plastic, and for labour efficiency, because the plastic does not require further handling after it is deposited.
The system is also designed to keep plastics dry until collection.
Bins open at the side for easy removal of full liners, which can be secured with cable ties.
Then a new liner is placed in the bin, ready for re-filling with capacity for up to 250 bale wraps, for example.
No loader or other lifting equipment is needed on the farm for this procedure.
The FRS system is available to farmers immediately. It will take silage covers, bale wrap, small fertiliser and feed bags, plastic packaging, bulk fertiliser and seed bags, drums and containers (triple rinsed), mineral lick buckets (metal handles must be removed), net wrap and twine.
