Waste Management: Farm Plastics

Waste Management (Farm Plastics) Regulations 2001

Waste Management (Farm Plastics) Regulations 2001

This legislation put obligations on the manufacturers and importers of farm plastics to arrange ways of collecting and disposing of used plastic film (i.e. silage bale wrap and sheeting) in an environmentally friendly manner with a view to increasing the recycling of farm plastics.

The main points of the Regulations are as follows:

• The producer of farm plastics is obliged to collect or arrange for collection of farm plastics from farms.
• Purchaser of farm plastics must pay a refundable deposit to the producer when he receives the product.
• Producer must make a written statement to the purchaser indicating that the producer will repay the deposit (or part of it) in respect of farm plastics returned.
• The producer will make arrangements for the collection and transport of farm plastic within six weeks of a request by the purchaser.
• Each producer must register with the Local Authority within which they will supply plastic.
• The Regulations place an onus on producers to operate their own take back scheme. However, they are exempt from setting up their own self-compliance scheme if they join the Irish Farm Film Producers Group Limited (IFFPG). This scheme is managed through REPAK and it provides a free plastic collection service to farmers. This service is funded by a levy, which is included in the sale price of the producer and forwarded to the IFFPG. Given that self-compliance is complex (i.e. operating a deposit and refund scheme) there is a great incentive to join the IFFPG. Since the IFFPG scheme was initiated in 1997 it has achieved a recovery rate of 45% but it aims to reach even higher with 60% recovery.

What do farmers need to do to organise for a farm plastic collection?

The collection of Farm Plastics from farmers is carried out independently of Mayo County Council and is organised by the Irish Farm Film Producers Group. (IFFPG)

Detailed information regarding organising a collection is available from the Irish Farm Film Producers Group (IFFPG) web site www.farmplastics.ie

Farmers need to fill out and return the collection request form to the IFFPG. This form is available from the IFFPG.

Full details are available by free phoning: 1800 300 444.

Contact:

Environment Section
Second Floor, Mayo County Council
Aras an Chontae
The Mall
Castlebar

Phone: (094)902 44 44
Email:Environment@mayococo.ie
Opening Hours: 9:30 a.m. to 1:00 p.m.
and 2:00 p.m. to 4:30 p.m.