Pilot container scheme a success

By Andy Doyle

19 August 06 : Around 6,700 empty chemical cans and almost 200,000 woven plastic bags were delivered by around 300 farmers to Offaly Co Council in the last few weeks as part of a pilot scheme for the disposal of farm plastic containers, meal and fertilizer bags.

"The scheme was a terrific success,'' according to Claire Dunne, environment officer with Offaly Co Council, who coordinated the pilot effort.

The best judge of success is that the company who actually recycle the different products were thoroughly satisfied with the materials they received from Offaly.

"The success of this pilot means that a market can now open up for these waste streams, some of which had just been labelled as hazardous here-to-fore. Triple rinsing of chemical cans immediately following use is key to making the process work for chemical containers.''

The success of this project now opens the way for commercial operations to offer a similar service to the farming community on an ongoing basis.

Claire Dunne congratulated farmers for delivering the waste materials in the condition necessary for recycling. Only a very small proportion of bags or containers were not accepted because they were not properly cleaned and some cans were taken home, cleaned and brought back again.

The pilot scheme was free to farmers for the first 20 containers thanks to sponsorship from Repak and the Vodafone and Conservation Irelands fund. Claire also thanked members of FARM, BASIS, IFA and PCS for their help during the pilot.