Programme Activities

The programme is separated into three phases and will be delivered between April 2006 and June 2007.

Phase 1 - Technical and Economic Appraisal

• Step 1 Establish a baseline
• Step 2 Economic appraisal
• Step 3 Definition of trial specifications

This phase will undertake groundwork research to establish the current position of recovery and recycling of agricultural plastics. A comparison with good practice in other material streams will also be made and a number of options developed in order to propose a range of trials.

Outputs

• Database of farm collection schemes
• Database of farm plastics reprocessors
• Material specification guide
• Outline proposals for trials

Phase 2 - Trials and Developing Best Practice

• Step 1 Management of trials
• Step 2 Identification of good practice
• Step 3 Recommendations

This phase will see the management of a number of trials, monitoring of their outcomes and production of Good Practice Guides for agricultural plastic recovery and recycling. Recommendations will also be made for both collection and producer responsibility systems.

Outputs

• Good Practice Guide for Farmers
• Good Practice Guide for Collection & Recovery
• Proposed collection infrastructure for agricultural plastics
• Producer Responsibility Scheme suggestions

Phase 3 – Communication Plan and Final Report

• Step 1 Project communications
• Step 2 Final Report for the Project Management Board (PMB).

Outputs

• Final Report and Communications Plan