A SCHEME to rid the countryside of unsightly plastic has been launched.
Farmers are being asked to collect up any plastics and wood being stored around their farms and take it to specially designated drop off points.
The scheme has been set up jointly between the Department of Infrastructure's Waste Management Unit and the Department of Environment, Food and Agriculture's Agriculture Directorate.
The plastic and wood can be taken to the following locations on the following dates:
May 9 to 14: 8am to 4pm weekdays plus 8am to noon on Saturday at Northern Skips, Andreas Airfield
May 9 to May 20: 9am to 3pm weekdays (no weekends), Western Civic Amenity Site, St John's
May 16 to 21: 8am to 4pm weekdays plus 8am to noon Saturday at Balthane Farm, Balthane Industrial Site
Silage wrap, preferably in totes or tied in bundles, plus clean plastic containers can be accepted together with treated or untreated pallets, planks and fence posts.
However, railway sleepers, tree trunks and branches and green waste cannot be accepted.
Collected waste is then transported to the incinerator where it is burnt to generate electricity.
Previous schemes have resulted in more than 200 tonnes of plastics being removed from the countryside.
Environment, Food and Agriculture Minister John Shimmin MHK said: "Our Island landscape is much valued by both residents and visitors and this is in large part due to the custodianship of our farmers and landowners.
"No one likes to see waste materials such as plastics blowing around the countryside and this scheme enables farmers to undertake a 'spring clean' and keep their fields looking tidy."
Member with responsibility for the Operations Division at the Department of Infrastructure Graham Cregeen MHK said: "We continue to work with DEFA and the farmers, to ensure that convenient disposal routes for farm wastes are available.
"There was a large uptake for the plastic scheme last year and, following a farm waste survey, this year's scheme has been expanded and improved to include some wood wastes.
"We will continue to work with all partners to ensure the effective ongoing management of farm wastes."
