Environment: silage plastic recycling

Silage plastic bring centres will be open for business from this weekend. The bring centres are one- or two-day events organised by the Irish Farm Film Producer Group (IFFPG).

A full list of the locations and timing of these bring centres is available on the IFFPG website. The first bring centres will open this weekend, starting in Kilmallock Mart in Limerick on Friday and Saturday.

There will be approximately 235 bring centres opened for recycling between now and the end of August.

Charges for the recycling service vary depending on if you have a six-digit label code or not. The label shows proof of purchase from an IFFPG plastic producer member and is given to the farmer when he purchases the wrap. The charge for recycling 0.5t of plastic (approximately 250 wraps, three covers) is €20 for farmers with a code or €85 for farmers without a code.

The bring centres also accommodate other categories of used farm plastics in association with REPAK. Plastics such as net wrap, small and large fertiliser bags, meal bags and drums are covered.

All these other categories can be brought to the centres and should be segregated in bulk fertiliser bags with the liners removed.

Disposal cost for the majority of other categories is €10 per bag. Netting and twine recycling costs €5/bag.

Farm collection

Farmers also have the option of getting plastic collected from their farm. Collections can be booked online on the IFFPG website.

This service costs more, but it may suit some farmers who do not have ways of transporting the plastic or cannot travel to a bring centre.

The cost of recycling via on-farm collection for 0.5t of plastic (approximately 250 wraps, three covers) is €45 for farmers with a code or €100 for farmers without a code.

Presentation

Farmers are encouraged to present the silage plastic in a clean and dry state if possible.

When paying by weight, it makes sense to reduce the moisture on the plastic that can add to the weight and, in turn, costs.