The new rural recycling scheme will cover key farm plastics including agrichemical containers and drums, bale wrap and silage film, small bags used for agricultural products and bulk woven polypropylene bags.
Agrecovery has welcomed the Government’s decision to approve regulations for a nationwide rural recycling scheme for agrichemicals and farm plastics, describing it as a landmark step for farmers, growers and New Zealand’s wider primary sector.
The industry led scheme will bring the existing Agrecovery and Plasback programmes together into a single national system that is simple, free to use and accessible for all users of agrichemicals and farm plastics. Agrecovery will manage the scheme on behalf of producers and rural communities.
Environment Minister Penny Simmonds said the decision responds to what rural New Zealand has been asking for.
“This initiative is about fixing the basics while building the future with practical solutions that protect the environment, support our farmers, and ensure a productive, sustainable primary sector.”
“Farmers and growers have been working towards this for a long time. Today, we’ve made it happen.”
Agrecovery Chief Executive Tony Wilson said the decision recognises almost 20 years of voluntary stewardship and gives the whole primary sector a stable framework for the future.
“Farmers and growers have been recycling with Agrecovery and Plasback for years because they want to do the right thing. Regulation now gives us the framework to grow that success into a fully integrated rural recycling scheme, extend coverage even further, and ensure all producers contribute to the costs of dealing with the plastics they place on the market. It is a significant win for rural New Zealand.”
Wilson said the focus remains on making life easier on farm.
“Our role has always been to make recycling easy and accessible for farmers and growers. Regulation means we can scale up responsibly and deliver a free, future-proofed and transparent recycling system that matches the needs of modern primary production.”
Agrecovery Board Chair and Wairarapa farmer Anders Crofoot said the Government’s decision provides the structure and certainty needed for the next decade of farm plastics management.
“This is a pivotal moment for rural New Zealand. A single, nationally consistent framework gives farmers and growers a straightforward answer about what to do with their plastics and who is responsible.”
Crofoot said the scheme is about environmental care and practical productivity working together.
“Better management of farm plastics protects soil, water, stock and people, and it also frees up space and time on farm. A well-designed stewardship scheme turns what was once a waste problem into a straightforward part of running a modern, efficient farm business. It also helps farmers and growers demonstrate the sustainability performance that markets increasingly expect.”
Plasback Commercial Manager Neal Shaw said the decision recognises the groundwork already done and lifts performance to a new level.
“It is great to see the investment that Agrecovery and Plasback have made over the last 20 years continue to drive plastic collection. Bringing that experience together under regulation is a real step change for rural recycling. Removing free riders will help the scheme deliver a more effective and efficient service for farmers and growers.”
The new rural recycling scheme will cover key farm plastics including agrichemical containers and drums, bale wrap and silage film, small bags used for agricultural products and bulk woven polypropylene bags.
Further information:
Read the Government’s media release from Hon Penny Simmonds: Farm plastics recycling scheme gets green light
For more information on the regulations, including possible timelines, please see the Ministry for the Environment website.