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Farmers will have a once-off chance to bring unwanted tyres to four recycling centres in the coming weeks, marking the start of a clampdown on the disposal and storage of tyres on farms.
One-day collections will open from 9am to 5pm at Cootehill Mart, Co Cavan, on 29 September; New Ross Mart, Co Wexford, on 9 October; Athenry Mart, Co Galway on 13 October; and Gort Drum Mines, Monard, Co Tipperary, on 20 October.
Farmers must pay a €15/t charge for the first 3t of tyres, equivalent to 330 car tyres. This discounted rate is subsidised by a €700,000 contribution from the Department of the Environment. Any tyres above 3t will attract a €160/t charge.
More dates possible
The Irish Farm Film Producers Group is running the scheme on behalf of the Department and awarded the disposal contract to AES Bord na Móna, which operates a tyre recycling plant in Co Louth.
“If there is sufficient funding remaining following these collections further bring centres may be announced,” said Minister for the Environment Denis Naughten.
Preparations for the collection scheme included discussions with farmer representatives, including the IFA.
Storage limits
Regulations in place since 1 October 2017 limit tyre storage on farms, but allow farmers to hold on to existing stockpiles until they first move any tyres to or from the farm.
For many farmers, this first movement will happen when they visit the subsidised collection centres.
From that point, farmers wishing to retain tyres to anchor silage pit covers must register with the approved body, RepakELT, providing details including their herd number, the size of their silage pits and the number of tyres on the farm before and after registration.
Each farm is allowed to keep a maximum of eight tyres per square metre of pit area and must "ensure the environmentally sound management of waste tyres".
Local authorities have powers to inspect farms and enforce the regulations.
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