Collection points for safe disposal of hazardous farm waste

Farmers will have the opportunity to dispose of hazardous waste at 10 bring centres around the country in the next few weeks.

The Environmental Protection Agency has teamed up with Teagasc, the Department of Agriculture and other bodies to provide the service.

Local authorities in Kilkenny, Offaly, Fingal, Cavan, Donegal, Mayo, Waterford, Cork, Limerick and Wexford are also participating in the initiative along with WEEE Ireland, the European Recycling Platform, and RILTA Environmental.

Teagasc environmental specialist Tim Hyde, said safe disposal of farm hazardous waste is important for every farmer in producing quality assured products for the end users and for maintaining Ireland’s green and sustainable image. “This scheme is an excellent opportunity for farmers to safely dispose of their farm hazardous waste at an extremely competitive rate,” he said.

Mr Hyde urged all farmers to bring the waste to one of the 10 locations where it will be collected, transported and disposed of in a safe and environmentally sound manner.

The campaign was successfully piloted in 2013 when 864 farmers brought waste to six centres. Some 94 tonnes of hazardous waste and 22 tonnes of WEEE and batteries had been collected. Jane Brogan, scientific officer, EPA, said farmers demonstrated their willingness to contribute financially to the environmental sound management of their hazardous waste when presented with an accessible opportunity.

“The pilot clearly shows a need for a long-term sustainable and affordable national scheme for the collection of hazardous waste which has accumulated on farms over the years,” she said.

Three of the 10 bring centres will be operated in Munster at Dungarvan Mart, Co Waterford (November 18), Kanturk, Co Cork (November 20) and Abbeyfeale Mart, Co Limerick (November 25).

The location and dates for the centres in Leinster are Cillin Hill Mart, Kilkenny (this Wednesday), Tullamore Mart, Co Offaly (Friday), White’s Agri, Lusk, Co Dublin (November 4) and Enniscorthy Mart, Co Wexford (November 27). In the north and west, the service will be provided at Ballyjamesduff Mart, Co Cavan (November 6), Raphoe Mart, Co Donegal (November 11), and Balla Mart, Co Mayo (November 12). Opening times are 9.30 am to 3.30pm.