Farm plastic scheme warns against levy

The Green Tractor Scheme – whose members include a string of recyclers such as Agri-Cycle, Farm XS and Solway Recycling – explained that in its first year of operation last year it collected 25,000 tonnes (56%) of farm plastics across the UK.

The scheme works by getting collectors together and then provides audited totals of the quantity of farm plastic collected and recycled. Previously, this was difficult as it was considered commercially sensitive.

This runs in parallel with a scheme called Agriculture, Plastic & Environment UK (APE UK), which was launched at the 2019 Recoup conference. This works by adding £20 per tonne levy to pay for collection and recycling of the material.

The market value of used silage film is rising

– Green Tractor Scheme

Clash

According to the Green Tractor scheme, its members provided the “vast majority” of the 10,000 tonnes collected via the APE UK scheme in 2021.

However, it said there were plans to raise the per-tonne levy to £60, which it says is “unnecessary”.

A spokesperson explained: “For the last two years APE has sought to charge a levy of £20 per tonne on plastics supplied to farmers.

“That price covered the gate fees, where charged, for recycling silage film.

“APE now seek to increase their levy to £60 per tonne and to continue charging a levy on other products which already have a positive value for recycling, all whilst the market value of used silage film and other plastics is rising.

“We believe this increase is unnecessary and we do not support it, particularly at a moment when all other costs for farmers are rising sharply.”

It added that its members will remain independent from APE UK and will only supply plastic them “on the basis that they are another outlet in an open competitive market”.

Quality

Farm plastics such as silage film play “a hugely significant part in the production of crops and livestock”.

The two systems were launched after previous efforts by the government to introduce an extended producer responsibility scheme for farm plastics were dropped in 2010, after the majority of respondents to a survey said no government intervention was needed (see letsrecycle.com story).

There have also been concerns about the cost of recycling, too. Many collectors of farm films including those involved in the latest scheme have previously expressed concern in the past over the markets.

While many used to get paid by plastics recyclers for the material and gained an income by charging for collection, they now face gate fees as the export markets tighten and become more difficult.

Volume

The Green Tractor Scheme says it is “committed to increasing both the volume and quality of farm plastics that are forwarded for recycling” and operates on a not-for-profit basis, being entirely funded by its collector and industry members.

It said some farm plastics have a positive value for recycling, so a levy is not needed.

It says it operates on a not-for-profit basis and does not charge farmers for the service, with it being funded by its collector and industry members.