Household pest and weed container collection

This project seeks sustainable end-of-life management solutions for household pest and weed product packaging.

We are working with the household pest and weed suppliers to develop a product stewardship scheme for these products.

The Household Pests and Weed Control Products Advisory Group was set up to examine the number of products in the New Zealand household marketplace, the various materials they are packaged in and their recyclability.

Agrecovery is now piloting trials for free collection of empty waste containers and residual quantities of chemicals for residents in two regions – Christchurch and Marlborough  These trials will help develop the options for recycling these products and allow Agrecovery to make recommendations to the Ministry for the Environment on the design of the preferred product stewardship schemes for these products.

The next stage of the project is expected to be a nationwide drop-off for containers and any leftover chemicals.

Containers that can be recycled

• Weed killer
• Insect control
• Fungicides

No aerosols. These can’t be recycled.

Preparing your containers

To properly prepare your containers for recycling, try and use up all the product first. Once empty, triple-rinse containers
with water as per the following guidelines*:

• Hazardous Products in Concentrate container/Bottles
  Prepare empty container for recycling by triple rinsing with water and emptying each rinse onto a small section of the application area.
• Fertiliser/ Seaweed Products in Concentrate container/Bottles
  Prepare empty container for recycling by triple rinsing with water and emptying each rinse into spray bottle for additional application.
• Hose on and Trigger Bottles
  Use as much of the content as possible. Prepare the empty bottle for recycling by rinsing with water and emptying it onto a small section of the application area.

Once containers are empty and clean, please remove and dispose of:

• lids/bungs
• metal handles or triggers

If you have leftover, expired or unwanted residual product in your containers that can’t be used up, please keep lids on and fasten tightly to ensure there is no leaking. These can still be dropped off at the collection sites.

*Please wear appropriate protective equipment and follow manufacturer health and safety guidelines when rinsing containers. DO NOT dispose of rinse water where it can contaminate waterways.