Innovative idea to reduce waste (From Gazette & Herald)

Innovative idea to reduce waste

AN INNOVATIVE farmer has come up with a solution to cut down on mountains of plastic waste.

Whitby farmer John Gaskarth has developed a process which converts any type of waste plastic into a new drainage product called Aquadyne.

The recycled panels can be used as a lightweight alternative to gravel and drainage pipes.

John developed the idea to provide drainage on his own tracks and paths, but now the panels are attracting attention from golf courses, sports grounds and local authorities.

He said: "Because we mix together different types and grades of plastics it makes the job of recycling straightforward and more cost-effective.

"As we grow, Econoplas has the potential to make a real contribution to recycling targets. It will mean that this will no longer be going into the ground as expensive plastic farm waste but as a useful product with real benefits for the environment."

Around 300,000 tonnes of non-natural waste is produced on UK farms each year, from silage wrap to old tyres.

Under new waste regulations, plastics can no longer be burnt or buried on farms, and landfill charges are likely to increase.

The process can use any type of plastic from yoghurt pots to heavy-duty fertiliser bags and even old wheelie bins.

With initial support from the North York Moors National Park Authority Sustainable Development Fund and DEFRA he has set up his own company, Econoplas.

Based in Scarborough, the new facility has enabled John to increase production to commercial levels.

Funded by DEFRA, the Sustainable Development Fund supports projects that bring social, environmental and economic benefits in the national park.

It also aims to develop and test new ways of achieving a more sustainable way of living in this area of great beauty and diversity.

To date the North York Moors National Park Authority has made grants totalling nearly £480,000 and has a further £180,000 to allocate each year for the next three years.

Rachel Wood, the NYMNPA's sustainable development officer, said: "In addition to financial support, the North York Moors National Park Authority is using the panels as an alternative to traditional pipe and gravel drains and is now testing them as a lightweight alternative to gravel paths and steps.

"It's far more sustainable than aggregate which has to be quarried. It's also much lighter, which is important when you're building steps on a cliff where access is difficult."

Econoplas' need for waste plastic has also helped to support two new businesses collecting waste plastic from farms in the national park area and the North-east and delivering it to Scarborough for reprocessing.

As demand and capacity increase further collection schemes will be needed around the region to supply the company which now has five full-time employees.

Updated: 11:17 Wednesday, June 08, 2005