FWAG in the South West : Recycling drive for farmers

FARMERS in Mid Devon are being given an ideal opportunity to dispose of their waste plastic under a major collection programme operating this spring.

The Farm Plastic Collection and Recycling Scheme has been set up to help farmers comply with agricultural waste regulations and will operate in Somerset, Exmoor, East Devon and parts of Dorset.

Farmers and landowners are invited to bring two types of waste plastic, including silage bags, clamp sheet and small feed bags, to one of the 14 collection centres on specified days in April, May and June.

advertisementOne of the collections is at Dunkeswell Aerodrome in the Blackdown Hills on June 4 and 5 while the nearest other centres are at Broadclyst, Wheddon Cross, Milverton, Blagdon and Isle Abbotts, near Taunton.

The waste will be collected in large trailers and transported to Warminster, Wiltshire, or South Wales, where it is reprocessed and returned to the plastics industry.

It follows the successful collection scheme organised by the Farming and Wildlife Advisory Group in Somerset last year which collected 400 tonnes of plastic from more than 480 farmers.

Emma Parris, FWAG's manager of the recycling scheme said: "We are very encouraged by the number of farmers taking up the opportunity to recycle their waste plastic film and netting through these collection centres.

"The new Waste Management Regulations came into force in May 2006 and now farmers are no longer able to burn or bury their waste plastic on the farm.

"Recycling schemes, such as this one by Somerset FWAG, offer farmers a practical and environmentally responsible method for disposal of their waste plastic."

A charge of £70 plus VAT per tonne is made to farmers delivering plastic, but they will receive a document certifying their participation in the scheme.

The scheme operates on a first come, first served basis and farmers can pre-book their delivery by calling FWAG's Somerset office on 01823-355141.

The cut-off date is Friday, March 30 and no bookings will be accepted after then.