Plastic’s fantastic for new farming venture
FARMER Roger Ward has launched a recycling business to meet the demands of new waste directives. He has set up Kelshall Plastics with the aim of recycling waste from farms across the area. The waste will include pesticide cans, fertiliser bags, silage wra
FARMER Roger Ward has launched a recycling business to meet the demands of new waste directives.
He has set up Kelshall Plastics with the aim of recycling waste from farms across the area.
The waste will include pesticide cans, fertiliser bags, silage wraps, cardboard and baler twine.
Roger, 45, who has been a farmer for most of his life, set up the business in order to meet a new waste directive from the European Union and the Environment Agency that has banned farmers from burning plastics on an open fire on their land.
He said: "The new rule that came in prohibits the burning of plastics on farmland, and gave me the idea to branch out into recycling waste plastics from agriculture.
"After doing some initial research into the ban, I spoke to various agriculture advisors.
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"Then I became involved with the Agricultural Development in the Eastern Region (ADER), which helps farmers diversify into businesses and it gave me the support to set up the company."
Kelshall Plastics is a family orientated business with Roger's wife Janet, 41, helping with the finance. Roger is used to working alongside members of his family - he runs the 550-acre Rectory Farm with brother Chris, 53, and insists that they have the perfect formula for a successful business.
"I couldn't have set it up without Janet's help, she's been great. She's done the finance side of things, like the pricing, sales and ringing around. I'm used to working with my family and we both work well together.
"Fingers crossed, as a result of our hard work, Kelshall Plastics will take off. I've already had a steady flow of inquiries from people who are interested.
"So far the response has been extremely good and there is definitely a demand," he said.
With the ban not coming in until next summer, Roger and Janet have plenty of time to establish the company, which they hope will cover an area including Herts, Bedfordshire, Cambridgeshire and Essex.
Roger said: "We are going to be flexible and work across the counties. It is now a case of making people aware that Kelshall Plastics is out there and ready to help.
