Farm PLastic Regulations

Under the Waste Management (Farm Plastics) Regulations 2001, producers of farm plastics are legally required to provide a system for the collection and environmentally safe disposal of waste silage plastic film from farms in order to meet national recycling targets. Essentially these regulations aim to assist and promote the recycling of farm plastic waste in Ireland.

 Farm Plastics Producers

Producers are defined in the Regulations as manufacturers or importers who supply plastic film to farms and the agri-business sector in Ireland, which is used for covering and wrapping silage.

All producers of silage plastic film must either operate a deposit and refund scheme for any farm plastics that they place on the market in Ireland, as well as registering with, and submitting reports to, every local authority in whose functional area they supply  farm plastic,

OR

Participate in a collection/recovery scheme operated by the Irish Farm Film Producers Group (I.F.F.P.G.), which is the sole government approved body under the regulations.

 Irish Farm Film Producers Group

The I.F.F.P.G. is a not-for-profit company and is a government approved scheme under the Farm Plastics Regulations 2001. IFFPG have approved collectors in every county willing to provide a cost effective reliable and efficient service. The scheme is funded by levies charged to producers and by fees paid by farmers for the collection and disposal of silage plastics. Producers must pay a levy for every tonne of silage film plastic they supply to the market in Ireland.

The I.F.F.P.G. offers a farmyard collection service for silage plastics, and also operates a national network of “Bring Centres” for farmers to return both silage plastics and other types of waste farm plastics, such as fertiliser bags, animal feed sacks, netting and twine.

Farmers seeking further information on farm plastics collection and disposal arrangements should phone the following Lo-Call number 1800 300 444, or access the I.F.F.P.G. website .

 Producers wishing to register with the I.F.F.P.G. should also access the above website or telephone (01) 408 9966.

Under no circumstances should farm plastic be burned or buried. This practice may result in prosecution under the Air Pollution Act, 1987 or the Waste Management Act, 1996. Enforcement of the farm plastic regulations is carried out regularly by Waterford County Council's Environment Enforcement Section.