A new scheme that could help growers pay for the collection and disposal of containers by an approved waste contractor has been launched by Syngenta, the firm has announced.

Members of the ‘WasteAway’ scheme will receive vouchers when purchasing products, which are then redeemable with approved waste contractors, explained the firm’s cereal crop manager, Garth Bretherton.

A few national recycling companies are already on the list of those who will accept the vouchers, although there is potential for others to be added, if suitable.

“WasteAway has been designed to help growers make the transition to a fully regulated waste collection and disposal system for all farm plastics and other waste products,” said Mr Bretherton.

All arable farms in England, Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland will be eligible, he said.

Syngenta claim to be the first UK crop protection company to offer such a scheme and say it will complement other initiatives to reduce packaging, such as the increased availability of Amistar (azoxystrobin) in refillable Link-Paks.

Other companies are responding to the forthcoming agricultural waste directive by trying to reduce the amount of plastic containers needing recycling, although there is no standard system across the board.

To find out what the main manufacturers are doing about the burden of waste disposal, see Farmers Weekly magazine (13 January 2006), p.49.