Farm Plastic Regulations
Waste Management (Farm Plastics) Regulations, 2001
A farm plastics recovery scheme was established in 1997 with the objective of increasing the recycling of farm plastics waste (silage bale wrap and sheeting). The scheme, which was underpinned by the Waste Management (Farm plastics) Regulations 1997, was revised and replaced by the Waste Management (Farm Plastics) Regulations, 2001.
The 2001 Regulations impose various obligations on manufacturers and suppliers in relation to the collection and recovery of farm plastics placed on the market. Under the Regulations, a producer / supplier of farm plastics has the choice of either complying with the regulations directly or alternatively participating in the approved scheme. The scheme has been operated by the Irish Farm Films Producers Group. (IFFPG) and under this scheme, producers apply a levy on the sale of farm plastics which in turn is transferred to the IFFPG for use in funding the collection and recovery of farm plastics waste.
National Farm Plastic Recycling Scheme
The IFFPG (Irish Farm Film Producer Group) now operate a much improved and more reliable service to farmers. The new scheme was announced in May 2006 and this scheme is funded by a combination of the existing levies paid by the producer members of the IFFPG who run the scheme and funding from weight based collection charges paid by farmers availing of the service. A producer levy of €127 per tonne will continue to be paid by suppliers and the farmer will pay a further €100/Tonne of plastic collected from the farm. The minimum charge for a collection will be €50 which will allow for a 0.5 T collection. Contact IFFPG Ltd on LoCall 1890 300 444 for further information.
Contamination
The costs of running the recycling scheme are accentuated by high levels of water and soil contamination which can be as much as 40% of the total weight collected. It is in the interest of farmers to ensure that contamination is kept to the minimum as a charge is paid on the weight of material collected. The cleaner and dryer the plastic is the less weight that will be need to be paid for.
What happens to rogue suppliers!
Suppliers who are not imposing the recycling levy or buying/selling plastic on the black market will be visited by Environmental Enforcement Officers of Kilkenny County Council. Strict fines under the Farm Plastic Regulations 2001 will be imposed on producers and suppliers of plastic where no visible levy has been paid.
Should you have any queries in relation to Farm Plastic Recycling, please contact Environment Section, Kilkenny County Council, 056-7794470.
