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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 ...

If you have unwanted or expired chemicals sitting in your farm shed, now is the time to register them with Agrecovery – ahead of a Canterbury-wide collection in November. This year, we’ve received some funding from Environment Canterbury for a chemical waste collection programme, which means disposal of many chemicals will be free or subsidised. Depending on volume or chemical type, there may still be a cost associated. Our collection programme offers farmers a solution for disposing of hazardous chemical waste safely to avoid harm to humans, animals and our environment. Environment Canterbury senior science advisor Jack Grinsted said he understood many farms still had chemicals sitting in their back shed that had been left there for years, often by ...

Agrecovery welcomes the Government’s launch of public consultation on the proposed regulation of Agrecovery’s Farm Plastics Product Stewardship Scheme—a critical step toward building a consistent, convenient, and future-focused recycling system for New Zealand’s primary sector. “This is a positive and long-awaited step forward for the sector,” says Agrecovery Chief Executive Tony Wilson. “New Zealand farmers and growers want recycling systems that are easy to use and fit for purpose. Regulation will give Agrecovery the tools to scale up services, expand access to recycling, and deliver a more consistent nationwide system for managing the complexity of plastic use in farming today.” “Agrecovery has worked collaboratively with industry and rural sector stakeholders to develop the Farm Plastics Product Stewardship Scheme with a ...

Farmers and growers in the Hurunui District have a unique opportunity to recycle agri-plastics for free as part of a new pilot programme by Agrecovery. This initiative, running between 19 February to 13 March 2025, aims to recover and recycle more farm plastic and improve sustainability while gathering insights for a nationwide recycling scheme. Agrecovery, a not-for-profit charitable trust, currently operates a number of voluntary Product Stewardship Schemes. Head of Commercial, Richard Carroll, emphasised the importance of continuing to provide accessible recycling solutions for farmers and growers. “Plastic waste on farms is a growing issue and there needs to be practical, sustainable solutions to get buy-in from farmers and growers, and avoid the plastics being burned or buried.” Thanks to ...

As the festive season approaches, we at Agrecovery want to extend our warmest holiday greetings to you and your loved ones. We hope the season brings you much joy and relaxation. Please note that the Agrecovery office will be closing for the holiday season from 5pm on Monday 23 December and reopening on Monday 6 January 2025. If you have an urgent query during this period, please email info@agrecovery.org.nz. This email will be checked periodically throughout the shutdown period. We are pleased to let you know that, despite the office closure, our recycling operations will continue throughout the holiday season. However, please note that this is subject to the operational status of our collection sites. We recommend checking in advance with ...

What weighs the same as 775 utes? The amount of plastic Agrecovery recycled in the 2023/24 year! That’s 1,674,000 kgs of plastic recovered and recycled, setting new records for Agrecovery and making a significant impact on reducing waste in New Zealand’s agricultural sector. These achievements reflect the incredible progress we’ve made together. As we head into 2025, we aim to build on this momentum by introducing new initiatives, expanding our reach, and creating innovative recycling solutions for rural communities.

We’re expanding our efforts to enhance recycling processes across New Zealand. Further to our initial pilot in Southland last year, which resulted in the collection of more than 605 tonnes of farm plastics, our next phase will kick off in the Hurunui District in North Canterbury in early 2025. The pilot will see us collaborating with local partners to collect farm plastic at a designated drop off location from mid-February to mid-March 2025. The Waipawa Winehouse has been proposed as the drop-off site. We are working with community groups, the Hurunui Council, and Plasback, who recently set up a new recycling facility in the region equipped with a baler and shredder specifically for processing farm plastics. We plan to engage ...

Cutting regulation might signal a win for farming, but not when it comes to recycling. Why is recycling regulation a win for farmers? Because every manufacturer of farm plastics will contribute to the sustainable recovery of the products they put into the market. Applying the Extended Producer Responsibility (EPR) concept, manufacturers or importers who bring products to NZ will need to participate in recycling initiatives. So what? Under regulation, farmers and growers would, in time, be able to recycle all farm plastics – for free! No more checking to see which brands participate in recycling before using our services —grab all suitable product types and give them to us. You won’t be left with items that should be able to ...

Greenwashing is often touted in the sustainability space. It lets companies profit from misleading claims about their environmental efforts. We’ve got some tips to help you spot it in recycling services. Ask questions If you are concerned that recycling companies might not be as green as you would like, ask them for evidence of recycling, or consider asking: What specific materials are accepted for recycling Can they provide information and data on their recycling rates and processes Are they accredited by recognised environmental organisations How much of what they collect ends up in landfill Agrecovery will always provide evidence of recycling to consumers. We are proud to be accredited by the Minister for the Environment as a Product Stewardship Scheme ...

Agrecovery continues to build networks with key stakeholders to position NZ as a leader in sustainable supply for overseas markets, responding to growing global demands for environmentally responsible practices. This is crucial for maintaining and enhancing NZ’s competitive advantage in international trade. By aligning with the sustainability standards of major global retailers, we’re helping NZ producers secure and expand access to key markets, meeting the rising consumer demand for environmentally friendly products. As more than 80 percent of NZ’s exports go to countries with climate-related disclosures, local suppliers may need to be proactive in meeting the sustainability expectations that these countries are likely to impose. We’re learning from international initiatives, such as the EU’s push towards self-sufficiency in recycling, as ...