Minister Hayes Launches the Farm Hazardous Waste Collection Campaign 2014

The Minister of State at the Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine, Tom Hayes T.D, today launched the Farm Hazardous Waste Collection scheme at Cillin Hill Livestock Mart in Co. Kilkenny.

Minister Hayes stated “the success of the 2013 hazardous waste collection scheme was primarily down to how well the different State Bodies cooperated together and the participation of the farmers.”

Minister Hayes went on to say that he was “heartened by the farmer response to this multi-agency initiative which shows that when farmers are provided with a means of disposing of this type of waste in a safe way they will use it. The success of this initiative demonstrates the need for an annual scheme to be established on an annual basis and the agencies involved will use the information gathered from the 2013 and 2014 pilot schemes to assist in the implementation of such a scheme”.

The Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine has teamed up with the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), Teagasc, and local authorities (Kilkenny, Offaly, Fingal, Cavan, Donegal, Mayo, Waterford, Cork, Limerick, Wexford), WEEE Ireland, European Recycling Platform (ERP) and RILTA Environmental Ltd to operate ten bring centres for the collection of farm hazardous wastes across the country in October and November 2014.

This cross Government collaboration is being run for the benefit of farmers and will have many positive environmental and human safety consequences.

This is the second farm hazardous waste campaign and follows on from the very successful initial pilot scheme in 2013. The pilot scheme saw nearly 900 farmers bring a total of 94 tons of hazardous waste and 22 tons of waste electrical equipment and batteries to six collection points. The 2013 scheme received tremendous support from the farming community who showed their willingness to avail of an opportunity to dispose of this waste despite the small costs associated with the collection.

Information on the waste types accepted, the charges applied and important information relating to the handling, segregation, packing and transporting of hazardous waste by farmers to the bring centres can be viewed at www.epa.ie or by calling LoCall: 1890 33 55 99.

Notes for Editors:

The location and dates for the 10 farm hazardous waste bring centres

Location	Dates
Cillin Hill Mart, Co.Kilkenny	Wednesday, 29 October
Tullamore Mart, Co.Offaly	Friday, 31 October
Whites Agri, Lusk, Co.Dublin	Tuesday, 4 November
Ballyjamesduff Mart, Co.Cavan	Thursday, 6 November
Raphoe Mart, Co.Donegal	Tuesday, 11 November
Balla Mart, Co.Mayo	Wednesday, 12 November
Dungarvan Mart, Co.Waterford	Tuesday, 18 November
Kanturk Mart, Co.Cork	Thursday, 20 November
Abbeyfeale Mart, Co. Limerick	Tuesday, 25 November
Enniscorthy Mart, Co.Wexford	Thursday, 27 November
Bring centres will open from 9:30 am to 3:30 pm

Information on the waste types accepted, the charges applied and the requirement for the safe handling, segregation, packing and transport of farm hazardous waste to the bring centres.

Waste types accepted	Costs
Out of date pesticides and biocides; veterinary medicines and animal health-care wastes; needles and syringes; waste paints; aerosols; corrosives (acids;, detergents); oil and air filters; oily wastes; brake fluids; brake pads; antifreeze; adhesives; coolants	All charged at €2/kg (excl. VAT which is charged @ 13.5%)
Waste packaging e.g., plastic and/or metal containers that are contaminated with hazardous materials	€8 per 200 litre drum €4 per 20/25 litre drum
Waste engine oil and waste hydraulic oil (do not mix with vegetable oil)	Free of charge
Waste electronic and electrical equipment (WEEE) (e.g., TVs, computers, fridges, freezers, power tools, kettles); all batteries and light bulbs	Free of charge
Important Information
ü Each waste type must be clearly identifiable, segregated and packaged to avoid leaks. ü MIXED wastes will NOT be accepted. ü All needles and syringes to be delivered to the centres in separate sealed containers. ü Payment by cash, cheque or card. ü Farmers will be issued with a receipt of payment and a certificate of transfer of control of waste. × Farm plastics such as silage wrap, fertiliser and feed bags; netting; and triple rinsed pesticide containers will NOT be accepted. × Wastes can NOT be dropped BEFORE or AFTER the designated collection date.

Useful links:

View Press Release as a PDF: DAFMPR 160/2014 (pdf 711Kb) ‌

Jane Brogan of the Environmental Protection Agency, Minister of State at the Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine, Mr. Tom Hayes, T.D., Gordon Rennick of the Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine and Tim Hyde of Teagasc

Date Released: 29 October 2014