Programme Benefits

The main benefit will be the development of clear, concise recommendations on how the collection and recovery of agricultural waste plastics might operate most effectively (operating within the framework of Producer Responsibility for non-packaging plastics).

The associated benefits and opportunities include:

• A system that will meet farmers' needs for a convenient method of disposal for non-packaging plastics waste.
• A system that addresses packaging wastes currently escaping collection under the Packaging Waste Regulations.
• Considerable quantities of plastics will be diverted from landfill - from experience of schemes abroad it is thought that within five years, 80% of crop chemical containers could be diverted from landfill – approximately 1,720 tonnes per year.
• Improved farm waste management practice such as better segregation of waste streams on farms.
• A defined and cost-effective route for farmers' plastics waste that complies with legislation, meets relevant quality assurance scheme standards and competes on an equal footing with schemes in other countries.
• A system for agricultural waste plastic collection and recovery that will offer opportunities for farmers to diversify their business to provide some elements of the infrastructure – for example operating as waste collectors in a local area, acting as ‘mini-hubs' for storage or cleaning of plastics from local farms prior to bulk collection.