Farming

Farming

Recycling

Recycling waste can reduce the risk of pollution and cut down on the amount of waste being buried in landfill sites. Recycling can save money and help you comply with legislation.

There are two distinct areas of recycling farm waste:

  • on-farm waste recycling - plastic sheeting, tyres, used oil, batteries
  • off-farm waste recycling - sewage sludge, paper waste, waste food or drink by-products, textile waste

On-farm waste recycling

Many materials used on the farm can be recycled for a secondary purpose:

  • scrap metal can be collected from the farm - provided the contractor is registered to carry waste
  • demolition rubble can be useful for building farm tracks - as long as it is free of asbestos
  • most tyre dealers and fitters will take back used tyres and tyre cases
  • you may be able to take batteries, waste oil and paper to a recycling facility, or have it collected by a registered waste contractor
  • waste oil can be used for protecting machinery stored over the winter
  • clean silage sheet off-cuts should be stored separately, and your supplier may provide a take-back scheme
  • waste plastics, such as used silage wrap, can be recycled
  • water from dairy processing may be recycled for other farm uses
  • some unwanted vegetable and crop produce can be used for livestock or pet food
  • your veterinary surgeon may take back used needles and syringes

A number of suggestions for recycling farm waste are listed in the Environment Agency’s (EA) Agricultural Waste – opportunities to save money (PDF document, 1.2K).

There are also recycling tips in Defra’s Saving money by reducing waste – Waste minimisation manual: a practical guide for farmers and growers (725 KB)
Paper copies can be ordered, free of charge, from Defra Publications, telephone 08459 556000.

The Waste Recycling Directory is an on-line service where you can enter your postcode and find contact details of the nearest waste recycling centres.

It is important that waste for recycling is handled correctly:

  • separate waste by type - plastics and metals
  • separate different plastics - polyethylene and polypropylene
  • separate different metals - ferrous and non-ferrous
  • store securely and protect from potential contaminants
  • give consideration to the cleanliness of waste

Setting up your own recycling business

If you are thinking of starting a waste recycling or waste treatment business, such as plastics collection or composting, you will need an Environment Agency licence or permit. Telephone the EA on 0845 603 3113 for further advice.

Off-farm waste recycling

Waste taken from other sources for spreading on agricultural land can add nutrients and improve the soil and its structure.

When any business waste, including waste for recycling, is passed from one person to another, the Environmental Protection (Duty of Care) Regulations will apply and the person taking the waste must have a written description of it.

A transfer note must also be filled in and signed by both parties making the transfer. See Defra’s Waste – Duty of Care for (PDF document, 216K).

The transfer note, to be completed and signed by both people involved in the transfer, must include:

  • what the waste is and how much there is
  • what sort of containers it is in
  • what time and date the waste was transferred
  • where the transfer took place
  • the names and addresses of both persons involved in the transfer
  • whether the person transferring the waste is the importer or the producer of the waste

Free paper copies of Defra’s Waste – Duty of Care can also be ordered from Defra Publications, telephone 08459 556 000.

If you plan to spread non-farm waste (such as green compost or sewage sludge) on to your land, you will need to comply with the Waste Management Licensing Regulations (1994). Contact the Environment Agency by telephoning 0845 603 3113 to apply for a Waste Management Licence, or to register for a licensing exemption.

For more information on waste licensing exemptions, see the Waste exemption notification and charges, forms and guidance pages on the EA website.

If your land falls within a Nitrate Vulnerable Zone (NVZ), then additional rules may apply. Defra’s Guidelines for Farmers in NVZs – England (PDF document, 457K) has maps showing NVZ locations, as well as listing regulation guidelines.

Municipal waste

For specific advice on the composting of green waste from sources such as local authority parks and gardens, see Defra’s What happens to Waste.

Sewage sludge

Sewage sludge is a controlled waste. It can be used as a fertiliser and soil conditioner, but may be harmful to the environment if incorrectly applied.

The Sludge (use in Agriculture) Regulations 1989 have become one of the Statutory Management Requirements under the Cross-Compliance rules of the Single Farm Payment.

For advice on sewage sludge in relation to Cross Compliance, see Defra’s Single Payment Scheme, Cross Compliance Handbook for England, 2006 edition. You can request a free paper copy by telephoning Defra Publications on 08459 556000, quoting reference PB11305. You can also telephone the Defra Cross Compliance advice line on 08453 451 302.

More details on sewage sludge can also be found at Netregs, a website which gives guidance for small businesses on environmental regulations.

Useful links

External

Further information

Defra helpline – 0845 933 5577 (local call rate)

Defra Publications – 08459 556000

Environment Agency helpline – 0845 603 3113

Page last modified: 1 October 2008
Page published: 1 July 2006

Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs