Ban on burning waste plastic arrives in January
Scotland’s farmers are likely to face a hefty bill for disposing of more than 50,000 tonnes of plastic waste – including silage wrap, net wrap, fertiliser bags, chemical containers and many other items – when a ban on incineration onfarm comes into place at the beginning of January.
The Scottish Environment Protection Agency (Sepa) yesterday confirmed that the burning of farm plastics and most other types of agricultural waste would no longer be allowed under exemption from 1 January, 2019.
At the moment drum incinerators are commonly and legally used on Scottish farms to dispose of waste plastics by an estimated 5,000 Scottish producers who currently hold a registered exemption from Sepa which allows them to safely dispose of their plastic waste in this manner.
However, following the realisation earlier in the year that the practice had been illegal across the Continent since the European Union changed regulations in 2013, the Scottish Government asked Sepa to revoke these exemptions and ensure that producers either recycled their waste or paid to have it disposed of through a licensed commercial operator.
Confirming the change yesterday, Sepa’s Gary Walker said that his organisation was moving to reduce the environmental impacts of farm waste.
He said: “From 1 January, 2019 farmers will no longer be able to burn plastic and most types of agricultural waste and, whilst many farmers have been recycling this type of waste for years, it is important that all farmers take steps now to ensure they are ready.
“By recycling, farmers are once more doing their bit for the environment, supporting their local community and helping ensure that plastic materials are kept in use for as long as possible by maximising the value that can be extracted from them.”
He said that Sepa had worked with NFU Scotland and Zero Waste Scotland to support Scottish farmers through a simple set of online resources, including a list of recycling companies which was available at www.sepa. org.uk/farmplastics.
NFU Scotland vicepresident Martin Kennedy said all stakeholders should help farmers and crofters “do the right thing” when dealing with the forthcoming ban on burning farm plastics.
He said that the union also wanted to ensure that the collection centre network was as comprehensive as possible so those in more remote areas had realistic options to have such material disposed of properly in the future.
“Where there are gaps in information, guidance or disposal options, we will work quickly with others to fill them with solutions.”
bhenderson@farming.co.uk