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Some 2,229 farmers dropped off over half a million tyres for recycling during the four-day government subsidised scheme.
The scheme was funded by €700,000 from the Department of Environment and provided a subsidy at the rate of €15/t for the first three tonnes of tyres a farmer dropped off – the equivalent of 330 car tyres.
The four collection days were overseen by the Irish Farm Film Producers Group (IFFPG), in Cootehill, Co Cavan, New Ross, Co Wexford, Athenry, Co Galway and Monard, Co Tipperary.
The collection day in Athenry saw the largest drop off, with 140,000 tyres collected.
“Over half of the tyres collected were recycled at an Irish-owned tyre recycling facility in Drogheda, with the remainder sent abroad for processing,” the IFFPG stated.
“Tyre waste is typically recycled into a crumb material which is typically used as a soft underlay at sporting facilities.”
Despite the recent resignation of the former Minister for the Environment Denis Naughten, the IFA has continued to urge the Department to fund additional days, and environment chair Thomas Cooney said the association has sought a meeting with Minister for State at the Department of Environment Seán Canney.
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