Farmers will be able to take plastic waste to drop off points on the Island, under a scheme organised jointly by the Department of Environment, Food and Agriculture (DEFA) and the Waste Operations Unit of the Department of Infrastructure.

A similar scheme was run last year and led to 73 tonnes of plastics being removed from the countryside.

This year, the arrangements are as follows:

Monday 3rd May to Saturday 8th May at Hangar 44, Jurby Industrial Estate.  The site will be open from 8am to 3pm during weekdays and 8am to 12 noon on Saturday.

Tuesday 4th May to Saturday 8th May at Balthane Farm, Ballasalla.  The site will be open from 8am to 2.30pm during weekdays and 8am to 12 noon on Saturday.

Silage wrap and clean, empty plastic containers will be accepted.  They should be placed in tote bags or tied in bundles and must be as clean as possible. 

Sites will be staffed and material checked to ensure it contains only those plastics which are the target of this scheme. 

They will then be delivered to the Energy from Waste Plant where they will be burnt to generate power.

DEFA Minister, John Shimmin said, "The Countryside Care Scheme, by which the Government makes payments to farmers, aims to ensure that the Manx 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".