NFU learns lessons from Irish plastic recycling success

A fact-finding mission to see how Ireland has adopted its waste farm plastic collection scheme has seen how 70,000 tonnes of waste silage sheeting and bale wrap has been collected in the last ten years.

NFU Vice President Paul Temple led the trip, to meet representatives from the Irish Farmers’ Association, with NFU waste spokesman Robert Caudwell. The visit was part of efforts to learn about the Irish Waste Farm Plastic Collection Scheme, and gain from the IFA’s experiences, in the case of a similar initiative in the UK.

The main thrust of the scheme should see manufacturers and importers of non-packaging plastic material, such as silage wrap and crop cover, given statutory responsibility for funding the collection, disposal and recovery of waste to help increase recycling and reduce landfill. The NFU is considering the merits of such a scheme.

"It has been really helpful to get a first hand insight into how the scheme in Ireland works", said Mr Temple. "We have the advantage in the UK as we are starting from a position where much of the collection infrastructure is already in place. During this consultation we can use some of the Irish lessons to understand the financial implications ensuring farmer choice, allow existing collectors to further grow their businesses and provide recyclers with the confidence to invest in reprocessing capacity.

"Those involved in the Irish scheme admit there were difficulties in the early years and I am confident we can learn from these. The clear message we received from our colleagues at the IFA is that the scheme in Ireland is delivering cost-effective benefits to farmers. We look forward to seeing if we can work with manufacturers, re-processors and existing farm plastic collectors to deliver a scheme that brings benefits to our members and the environment".

A public consultation on Statutory Manufacturer Responsibility is expected from Defra by the end of the year.