Under the Waste Management (Farm Plastics) Regulations 2001, producers of farm plastic products must establish a deposit and refund scheme for farm plastic waste or participate in an approved compliance scheme for the recovery and recycling of this waste stream.
Since the introduction of the farm plastics extended producer responsibility (EPR) model, producers have opted to participate in the compliance scheme which is run by the Irish Farm Film Producers' Group (IFFPG). IFFPG is a not-for-profit organisation owned by its producer members and the IFA, operating under Ministerial Approval.
IFFPG manages the collection and recycling of farm plastic waste on behalf of its members and funds its operations from producer fees and collection charges. The setting of fees and charges, as well as commercial arrangements for the collection and recycling of this waste stream, are operational matters for IFFPG and its Board.
An application for approval to act as a compliance scheme for farm plastic waste has been submitted by IFFPG and is currently being assessed. As per the 2001 Regulations, IFFPG’s performance regarding measures taken and effects of these measures with regard to the recovery of farm plastic waste, achievement of targets, and nature and frequency of information provided to the Department and the financial stability of the Scheme, are all under consideration as part of this process.
