More than 500 tonnes of waste silage sheeting and wrap, which is an environmental hazard and causes a major litter problem in the countryside, has been collected from farms.
The plastic was collected by Irish Farm Films Producer Group, the organisation approved by Government to salvage waste farm plastics with the help of the National Co-operative Farm Relief Services.
The IFFPG was established through co-operation between farmers and the plastics industry. The Farm Relief Services picks up the waste plastic free though a nationwide chain of its affiliated co-operatives.
The scheme, which started in November 1997, has set itself the target of collecting up to 2,500 tonnes of waste sheeting by the end of this year.
The hope is the service will remove a substantial amount of the 14,000 tonnes of silage sheeting and wrap sold on the Irish market each year.
The scheme is funded through a levy included in the purchase price of sheeting and wrap of between £4 and £5 per silage sheet or 10p per silage bail.
The levy is used to fund a free collection service, said Mr Aidan Larkin, the chairman of IFA's environmental committee. Mr Larkin urged farmers to purchase silage sheeting and wrap only from suppliers who are participating.
Sheeting and wrap supplied outside the scheme have a levy of £200 per tonne included in the price.