A new farm plastic-waste collection programme has received £1million funding from Defra.

Instigated by the Agricultural Stakeholders’ Forum (AWSF), the programme is a response to new agricultural waste regulations prohibiting non-natural farm-waste from being burned or buried. The waste regulations are due to be introduced in 2006 and would mean farmers paying for off farm disposal and recovery options.

The programme, which is funded through Defra’s BREW Programme, will be managed by the Chartered Institution of Wastes Management Environmental Body and aims to allow the majority of all farm plastics to be collected through a nation-wide recovery network.

Ivan Good, executive administrator of CIWM, said: “I should emphasise that this is not about subsidising loss-making collection schemes. The funding will be used to identify best practice through the commissioning of pilot projects and demonstration activities that aim to maximise the tonnage collected and minimise logistical costs.”

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