The only company dedicated to collecting plastic waste from Welsh farms will no longer operate due to the 'additional charges required'.
Birch Farm Plastics, based in Pontardawe, south Wales, has decided to suspend collections of polythene for the remainder of 2019.
It is the only business which collects farm plastic from the whole of Wales.
In a statement, the company said it no longer feels able to operate a viable business due to the 'additional charges required'.
Birch Farm Plastics said: “With the uncertainty of a guaranteed cost-effective outlet for our large volumes of material for recycling, it is disappointing that it is now again cheaper for farmers to take their waste to landfill.
“The increasing costs we must pay the recycling plants dramatically increases the charges we must make to our customers. Is it fair that farmers are responsible for the full disposal costs of the polythene?”
It comes as Defra issued out a consultation regarding plastics recycling. However, it is likely to be next year before any decisions would be made regarding farm plastics.
The lack of service available means farmers could resort to storing or burning plastic waste, as many are left with no other choice.
Farmers are allowed to store plastic waste up to 12 months.
The Welsh government told the BBC: “The disposal of farm plastic is a commercial matter between the farmers, the collectors of the plastic film waste, and the plants that can and do recycle it.
“Farmers have a responsibility to ensure their plastic is disposed of correctly.”
