RECYCLED plastic may be an unusual crop to harvest on a mixed beef, sheep and arable farm but it has an extremely varied productivity yield and is environmentally friendly.

At North Farm, Bosbury, farmer Dave Perks enthusiastically shows off his knowledge about plastic and that the warm, man-made fleece jacket that proudly displays his new company Farm Plastics Recycled was made from recycled plastic pop bottles.

The company, which was entered into the Hereford Corn Exchange Trust diversification competition and awarded £250 for the idea, has not only proved to be a successful enterprise but it will also support his way of life.

Dave took over the tenancy of the farm with his wife, Heather, 14 years ago and, although they both knew it was going to be hard work, they didn’t plan for the farming tragedies that were to come their way.

“We are always aware of the possibilities of TB but we didn’t bank on foot and mouth and BSE or the downturn in corn prices and we’d just taken on our first tractor so found ourselves cash strapped,” said Dave.

To make ends meet, the couple opened a caravan site and also a storage area but, with a young family to support, life was still proving very hard.

Dave began to look into farm waste four years ago and asked farmers around his area and surrounding counties whether a service would be of value.

“New legislation made it illegal to bury or burn plastics and we found that most farmers wanted to dispose of it responsibly. “Plastic waste doesn’t decompose and, when it’s buried, it works its way to the top again so it’s not really a viable way of getting rid of it.

“Burning plastic creates toxicity in the atmosphere,” he said.

With funding from Defra and help and advice from Herefordshire Council, Dave started up his waste collection which, he says, is getting busier and busier.

“We collect on a weekly basis from some of the farms, particularly strawberry growers as they have a steady flow of punnets and polytunnel plastic but we also do group deliveries for smaller farms to help keep costs down. “We know how difficult farming is these days and want to help because we’ve been there ourselves.

“We had times when we didn’t have enough coming in for the weekly food shopping – so we know what it is like to have to go without.

“Like other farmers who have stayed within the industry, I love the land and that’s why we all stay. “Farming has fulfilled a dream for me and, by running recycled plastics, I am helping to keep the environment cleaner.

“I employ people locally and I can keep my livestock,” he said.