A clear path for recycling

Clear bale wrap, manufactured by Coveris Unterland in Austria, has been described as a ‘Game Changer’ in the drive towards sustainability for this important crop packaging.

The concept introduced by Emerald Isle Recycle this season, follows on from extensive field trials in 2019, wrapping silage in clear bale wrap, through to feeding during the 19/20 season.

The clear wrap has the same UV protection as coloured wrap, and with 2019 bales still stored on farms, it continues to provide excellent forage preservation. Farmers and contractors across Northern Ireland, have started using the product for first cut silage, with repeat orders being placed for second cut. Customers are keen to try the clear wrap on some of their silage, to build confidence in this new product going forward.

Roy Livingston from Emerald Isle Recycle has welcomed the uptake of the new material, and has no doubt that it will make a significant difference in the recycling of farm plastic across Northern Ireland and the rest of Europe.

He explained: “Since 2017 we have seen major changes across all sectors of plastic recycling worldwide, with increasing raw material volumes not being matched with increasing processing capacity. This has led to increasing costs being passed down from the processor, due to a lack of new markets for the black recyclate, produced from coloured bale wrap.

“The current pandemic has created a perfect storm, by destroying the demand for products made from recycled coloured wrap. With the drop in crude oil prices, leading to a collapse in the cost of virgin polymer, this now costs less than recycled polymer.

“Processors are telling me that further plant closures are inevitable, but if we could supply clear raw material which can be made into a much wider range of products, this would be a “Game Changer”.

“Virgin polymer is clear, with the various colours added at the manufacturing process. When asked the question why is the colour added?, the main answer was silage covers have always been black! Black wrap has a tendency to absorb sunlight in hot weather, which is detrimental to silage production, hence the move to lighter colours over recent years. Clear wrap is the natural progression of this trend.

“I am encouraging all farmers across Northern Ireland to try this product for themselves, and can assure them of full technical support, and a 50% reduction in recycling charges of this new product, when presented separately in liners for collection,” he concluded.