Irish environment Minister, Denis Naughten is to provide €700,000 in funding for a number of centres across the country to support the recycling of waste tyres, which are typically used to anchor silage pits.
IFA Environment Chairman Thomas Cooney welcomed the decision saying that the IFA has lobbied for a number of years for the introduction of a take back scheme for waste tyres, which ensures the sustainable management of old and worn tyres that can no longer be used to anchor silage pits.
Concluding, Thomas Cooney said, “Farmers continue to demonstrate a real willingness to recycle waste streams generated on farms. Each year thousands of tonnes of farm plastics, bale wrap and meal bags are recycled. I am sure that farmers will also support this worthwhile waste tyre initiative and I look forward to working with Minister Naughten to ensure its success.”
Last year, Minister Naughten announced a €1m fund to help remove stockpiles of used tyres. However, concerns were raised when it emerged that farmers were not able to access that funding.
Mr Naughten has said he is also supporting the introduction of a new compliance scheme to ensure that as many old tyres as possible are taken out of the system before the scheme is introduced on October 1.
The new scheme, to be run by Repak ELT, will reassure consumers that their old tyres will be disposed of responsibly by the retailer when they buy new tyres.
