A multi-million pound farm plastic recycling facility is set to give a network of collection schemes taking waste plastic from farms an outlet for its waste.

Letsrecycle.com report that the FarmPlas network is a nationwide scheme supporting farmers wishing to recycle plastic from their farms. The individual schemes, based all over the UK, are set up by farmers themselves. Integrated Polymer‘‘s new farm plastic line ready for installation Collection schemes that have already been set up have been stock piling material in advance of a plant being built to deal with the waste by plastic recycler Integrated Polymer.

The South Wales based company set up the FarmPlas network after receiving a vast number of enquiries about the recycling of farm plastics. Forthcoming legislation is set to dictate that farmers will be banned from burning or burying plastic, forcing them to seek alternate disposal mechanisms for the waste. Plant Integrated Polymer intends to begin operating the 15,000 tonnes per annum plant by the end of November, with an official opening scheduled for early 2006. The plant has been aided by a grant from the Welsh Development Agency. Plastic delivered to the plant will be washed and pelleted before being sent to manufacturers of farm film to bring a closed loop effect to the scheme.

FarmPlas is now intending to increase its network to incorporate more UK farms. Hannah Kendall, spokeswoman for the organisation said: "Although this is a national network the schemes are local and it is our job to help farmers get in touch with their nearest scheme. In areas where a scheme is not already up and running, we will encourage interested farmers to start schemes and join the network themselves," she added.

The collection schemes already under the FarmPlas banner were invited to Integrated Polymer‘‘s site at Capital Valley, Rhymney earlier this month for the arrival of the new machinery