April 22 -Farmers on the Isle of Man (IoM) will be able to take plastic waste to two drop-off points during May, under a joint scheme of the island's Department of Environment, Food and Agriculture (DEFA) and the Waste Operations Unit of its Department of Infrastructure.
Last year a similar scheme led to 73 tonnes of plastics being removed from the countryside.
Silage wrap and clean, empty plastic containers are acceptable under the scheme. The sites will be staffed, and material checked for eligibility. The waste will go to SITA's energy-from-waste plant at Richmond Hill for incineration.
Farmers who claim payments from the IoM's Countryside Care Scheme are required to meet a number of standards, one of which covers landscape, litter, waste and scrap. The waste disposal scheme will give farmers the opportunity to clear their farms of accumulated plastics.
DEFA minister John Shimmin said, "The Countryside Care Scheme, by which the [Manx] government makes payments to farmers, aims to ensure that our countryside is managed both for food production and for its landscape value.
"Our countryside is an important national asset, valued by both residents and by visitors and contributing significantly to our economy.
"As custodians of much of our countryside, I hope that farmers will take this opportunity to rid their farms of unsightly plastics which can also pose a danger to livestock and wildlife".
Last year a similar scheme led to 73 tonnes of plastics being removed from the countryside.
Silage wrap and clean, empty plastic containers are acceptable under the scheme. The sites will be staffed, and material checked for eligibility. The waste will go to SITA's energy-from-waste plant at Richmond Hill for incineration.
Farmers who claim payments from the IoM's Countryside Care Scheme are required to meet a number of standards, one of which covers landscape, litter, waste and scrap. The waste disposal scheme will give farmers the opportunity to clear their farms of accumulated plastics.
DEFA minister John Shimmin said, "The Countryside Care Scheme, by which the [Manx] government makes payments to farmers, aims to ensure that our countryside is managed both for food production and for its landscape value.
"Our countryside is an important national asset, valued by both residents and by visitors and contributing significantly to our economy.
"As custodians of much of our countryside, I hope that farmers will take this opportunity to rid their farms of unsightly plastics which can also pose a danger to livestock and wildlife".
