Rubberware Trial

A free trial for repurposing dairy rubberware

Agrecovery is running a free trial during June and July in the South Waikato, Matamata-Piako, & Waipa Districts for the collection and safe repurposing of used rubber milking equipment. It’s another step toward a circular solution for New Zealand farms, reducing on-farm waste and supporting better outcomes for the environment.

This trial has been funded by Skellerup with the intention of implementing an annual drop-off scheme for dairy rubberware. Thank you to the merchant stores and the Matamata-Piako District Council for providing sites to utilise during the trial.

Rubberware products accepted as part of the trial:

The rubberware products to be included in the trial are:

• Milking Liner/Inflations
• Air Tubes
• Milk Tubes
• Claw/Pulse Tubes

How to take part:

STEP 1: MAKE SURE YOU’RE AN AGRECOVERY MEMBER

You must be registered to participate – it’s free to become a member! Click here to register.

STEP 2: GRAB YOUR FREE AGRECOVERY LINER

Rubberware must be placed in an approved Agrecovery liner. You can pick one up for free from one of these stores:

• Putaruru Farmlands
• Matamata Farmlands
• Te Awamutu Farmlands
• Putaruru Farm Source
• Matamata Farm Source
• Te Awamutu Farm Source
• Matamata PGG Wrightson
• Te Awamutu PGG Wrightson

STEP 3: FILL THE LINER

Fill with Milking Liner/Inflations, Air Tube, Milk Tube and Claw/Pulse Tubes only. Products must be dry and free from residue. Each liner holds up to 13 clusters or a maximum of 30kg of rubberware. DO NOT overfill.

STEP 4: DROP OFF YOUR LINER

Return your full liner to one of these approved drop-off sites during July:

• Putaruru Farmlands
• Matamata Farmlands
• Te Awamutu Farmlands
• Matamata Transfer Station
• Morrinsville Transfer Station

Please note: You must drop-off your full liner between 1 July and 31 July.

What happens to the rubberware?

Agrecovery and Skellerup explored several recycling options for used dairy rubberware — including roading, turf, and guttering. However, these posed a risk of micro rubber entering the environment. After technical assessment, we’ve found a safer solution: sending the rubber to a cement kiln, where it replaces coal as fuel. Rubber burns cleaner, and the risk of environmental harm is minimal. We’re continuing to search for even better circular uses — but this is a strong first step.