Farmers urged not to let recycling efforts go to waste

With the UK’s farming industry now fully embracing the concept of recycling its plastic scrap, a major recycler is urging farmers and agricultural contractors to consider the bigger picture in order to prevent their eco-conscious efforts going to waste.

bpi.recycled products, the largest recycler of waste polythene in Europe, says it’s vital that farmers and contractors not only think about recycling material such as used silage sheets, balewrap and crop film, but also about where this recycling takes place. “As most large scale reprocessing actually takes place abroad, specifically in the Far East, the green benefits of recycling plastic waste can easily be offset by the transport emission in shipping the scrap overseas and then bringing the recycled products back,” explains Ken Oswin, Operations Director at bpi.recycled products. “In marked contrast, bpi.recycled products operates a network of reprocessing plants across Great Britain enabling us to recycle farm plastics right here in the UK. Collectively, these sites - which all enjoy Environment Agency accreditation - give us the capacity to reprocess in excess of 70,000 tonnes of scrap a year. He continues: “We even operate a dedicated waste farm plastic reprocessing plant in Dumfries. This plant, which has recently seen a £2 million investment, has been successfully recycling used farm plastic for over a decade. As such, we fully understand how to most effectively manage this waste to achieve the lowest possible environmental impact.” Those farmers and agricultural contractors who do supply UK waste for recycling at UK facilities will ultimately be contributing to second generation products with a lower carbon footprint. In the case of bpi.recycled products, it actually uses this farm waste to create items like its Green Sack® range of 100% recycled refuse sacks and its Plaswood range of wood effect landscaping products. Of course, many of us will already be familiar with the ‘bpi’ name. bpi.recycled products’ sister business, bpi.agri, is one of the world’s leading suppliers of balewrapping films and the manufacturer of such well known brands as Silotite®, Visqueen Poliwrap® and Polybale®. The relationship enjoyed by the two businesses as part of the wider BPI (British Polythene Industries) plc group gives them an unrivalled ability to ‘close the loop’ on waste, with one manufacturer supplying products in the first instance and the other recycling them after use. Summing up, Ken Oswin added: “We’re encouraging farmers and agricultural contractors to question where their plastic recycling takes place, not just for our benefit, but for their benefit and for the benefit of the wider environment. The complicated nature of the world’s environmental issues means the drawbacks to a given situation, such as the higher carbon footprint that comes of recycling abroad, may not always be obvious. “Our advice is simple. To keep it green, keep it British.” Those keen to take advantage of bpi.recycled products’ increased drive on agricultural scrap should call 01685 840 672 or email: recycle@bpipoly.com for details of their nearest collector. ENDS Images & captions: Plaswood bench.jpeg How green is your recycling? Farmers are being urged to question where their plastic recycling takes place to ensure second generation products with a lower carbon footprint.

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