Strict code checking at farm plastics bring-centres

Farmers are being requested to provide valid codes on proof of purchase or risk being double charged. The measure is designed to persuade farmers not to support the illegal trade, which sees retailers sell farm plastics without the recycling levy and in doing so reduce funding for recycling and undercut the legitimate trade.
Each year, IFFPG members place on the Irish market approximately 20,000 tonnes of farm plastics products such as wrap and sheeting on which the recycling levy is applied. The recycling levy, which is currently applied at the rate of €286 per tonne (€7.44 excl. VAT per standard roll), largely funds the scheme. This funding, in addition to a weight-based collection charge, allows for IFFPG to provide a convenient, cost effective and reliable recycling service to farmers nationwide. It also facilitates the recycling of 40,000 tonnes of waste per annum (the equivalent to plastic from 20 million silage bales), with virtually all levied farm plastics placed on the market currently being recycled over a three-year period.
However, the illegal trade which is estimated to account for between 5-10 per cent of the overall market is problematic in that it denies funding to the IFFPG scheme (perhaps up to €500,000 annually), as well as the loss of sales to compliant retailers. While the remit for enforcement of the regulations in this area lies with local authorities, IFFPG has developed a label code traceability system to assist their efforts. The traceability system sees a unique code pass down the supply chain to the farmer, which when presented at a bring-centre confirms that levied product was purchased and results in a lesser charge

What to do

So, what can farmers do to ensure that they can obtain lesser charges at bring-centres this year? Firstly, check the paperwork associated with your farm plastics purchases from last year to ensure that there is a code attached. If you have no code, contact your supplier to request the relevant code on proof of purchase. IFFPG has circulated information to all retailers informing them of the stricter arrangements that apply this year, which means that they will understand what you are looking for if contacted. For product that you purchase this year, ensure that there is a code provided on proof of purchase and then either carefully file the paperwork or take a photograph of it on your mobile phone for presentation at your local bring-centre next year. It is important to be aware that if your silage contractor supplies your farm plastics, then your contractor is in effect a retailer and must supply you with a valid code on proof of purchase.
The minimum charge at the bring-centre this year is €60 for a half tonne, with a €120 charge applying if a valid code on proof of purchase is not provided.
For more information, contact IFFPG: 01 4089966 or visit www.farmplastics.ie