After four years and 36 sites, the Farm Hazardous Waste Collection Campaign has been a successful initiative.

Funded by the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA); the Department of Communications, Climate Action & Environment; the Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine (DAFM); and Teagasc, the campaign gives farmers the opportunity to clear out a range of listed hazardous products that have accumulated on their farms over the years.

Made possible by the support of stakeholder bodies and the environmental departments in relevant local authorities, over 7,000 farmers have availed of the scheme over the past four years. These farmers have disposed of 800t of hazardous waste.

There are a further 10 sites planned for autumn 2017; the first of which opens next week.

Locations of farm hazardous waste collection centres:
  • Bandon Recycling Centre – Wednesday, October 18;
  • Nenagh Mart – Wednesday, October 25;
  • Enniscorthy Mart – Friday, October 27;
  • Listowel Mart – Saturday, November 4;
  • Kilkenny Mart, Cillin Hill – Wednesday, November 8;
  • Cahir Mart – Tuesday, November 14;
  • Mayo-Sligo Co-operative Mart, Ballina – Friday, November 17;
  • Tullamore Mart – Tuesday, November 21;
  • Athenry Mart – Friday, November 24;
  • Kells Recycling Centre – Tuesday, November 28.

The EPA and other stakeholders hope that the yield of hazardous waste collected from these sites continues to increases, as it has done since 2013.

Dr. Shane Colgan, senior scientific officer at the EPA, commented on the importance of the collections for the EPA’s perspective.

“The EPA is pleased to support this scheme again in 2017. The safe disposal of these hazardous substances significantly reduces the risk of damage to our plants, wildlife and water; it also protects the health of farm families and their neighbours.”

Teagasc environmental specialist, Tim Hyde commented on the benefits from a farmer’s perspective.

This initiative is an excellent opportunity for farmers to safely dispose of their farm hazardous waste and at an extremely competitive rate.

“I would encourage all farmers to bring their farm hazardous wastes to one of the ten locations, where it will be collected and processed in a safe and environmentally sound manner.

“These collection days provide an opportunity for farmers to dispose of materials that may be harmful to humans and animals; and also to ensure compliance with DAFM cross compliance and Bord Bia inspections,” he said. Click here for more information