Bridgwater & Taunton College (BTC) proudly supported the South West Farm Plastic Recycle Day created by the Farming & Wildlife Advisory Group (FWAG), complimenting the College’s own vision of supporting conservation of wildlife, the environment and our landscape.

The first FWAG Farm Plastic Recycling Scheme began in 2004 and has taken place annually ever since.

The scheme aims to provide farmers with a responsible, environmentally friendly way to recycle plastic, preventing excess waste from reaching landfill.

In 2024, BTC’s own Rodway Farm – a 200+ hectare commercial operation that supports the learning of hundreds of students studying land-based subjects – acted as an essential collection point.

Local farmers from across Somerset booked a slot to attend, dropping off plastic waste for recycling. In 2022, a total of 215 tonnes of plastic were collected and recycled, with more than 5,022 tonnes of plastic waste recycled over the lifetime of the scheme.

The plastic is taken away, washed and melted down into pellets, which is then turned into sheep pens, hen houses, cow tracks, eco ground grids and other farming items.

Waste accepted included silage wrap, clamp sheets, string, netting, tree guards and fertiliser bags, all mixed and complex materials making standard recycling impossible. The Farm Plastic Recycling Scheme offers a specialised recycling space for these difficult items and materials.

BTC’s Rodway Farm was selected by FWAG due to the on-site facilities and location, serving both the local and wider farming community. Representatives from FWAG worked with BTC staff and Kitson Recycling to ensure a smooth and easy process for any attending.

Kitson Recycling kindly supplied a mobile weighbridge and equipment, overseeing the sorting and bailing of the plastic waste.

For more information on future events and BTC’s multitude of educational offerings, please visit www.btc.ac.uk or get in touch with the Information & Advice team by emailing info@btc.ac.uk.