MOLE Valley Farmers (MVF), who have a store in Holsworthy, is looking to develop a bespoke, free-of-charge recycling scheme that will allow customers to take used silage films and empty feed sacks to a depot for recycling.

The scheme is hoped to begin in June.

MVF are currently in discussions with RPC bpi recycled products, the UK based agricultural film re-processor, to get this scheme off the ground.

Since the introduction of the ‘Agricultural Waste Regulations’ in May 2006, farmers have been obliged to dispose of waste responsibly. Up until now this has involved taking used films to a licensed site or paying for an authorised contractor to take it away.

John Ovenell, product manager for Mole Valley, said: “Care for the environment that we love and work in is of primary concern to Mole Valley Farmers. Where possible, we would with our customers to help them meet their environmental obligations. This is why we are developing a cost effective recycling scheme for used silage films and animal feed sacks, trialling recycling facilities at our Bridgewater, Cullompton, South Molton and Liskeard stores from June 2018.”

Used films will be collected periodically from the four sites and taken to the bpi recycled products’ recycling centre in Rhymney, South Wales. The films will be reprocessed for use in the manufacture of building films and refuse sacks.

The company is the sister business of bpi agriculture, which manufactures the popular Silotite balewrap range. By taking back and re-processing used silage film, the bpi group are ‘closing the loop’ and keeping usable materials in what is becoming known as the ‘circular economy’.

Mr Ovenell added: “Further details of the recycling scheme will be available in the coming weeks.”