Successful Farm Hazardous Waste Collection Service Highlights Need for Long-term Solution – IFA

IFA Environment Chairman Thomas Cooney has called on Environment Minister Denis Naughten to immediately move to establish a permanent service for the annual collection of waste materials, such as used veterinary medicine bottles, fertilizer bags, chemical drums and used engine oil.

Speaking on the final day of the national farm hazardous waste collection service he said, “Teagasc, the EPA and the Departments of Agriculture and Environment have done an excellent job again this year in co-ordinating a national campaign to ensure that the correct recycling of hazardous materials takes place.

“However, the reality is that they are doing the job that REPAK has received funding to do and yet provides no service to the farming community. Each year agri-businesses pay thousands of euros to REPAK to ensure that the packaging material associated with their products is managed correctly. However, REPAK has never organised any collection service, instead relying on the good work and resources of others.”

Thomas Cooney added, “Minister Naughten must now step in and direct REPAK, which operates under licence from his Department, to make all funds provided to them by agri-businesses available to establish a full producer responsibility initiative, which reduces costs to the sector and guarantees a cost effective and efficient annual service to the farming community.”