Rural recyclers Agrecovery cleaning up farms

Agrecovery general manager Simon Andrew holding electrical cable cover (the result of the recycling process) in front of one of the mobile shredder units which collect and shred the plastic.

Supporting farmers and growers to clear more waste and preserve New Zealand farms for future generations is the mission of the rural recycling programme, Agrecovery.

Tackling the plastic used by rural communities, the product stewardship programme recycles over 300 tonnes per year.

"That is enough plastic to cover a rugby field six feet high," says Agrecovery general manager, Simon Andrew.

"A plastic agricultural container takes 700 years to degrade and burning plastic wreaks havoc on our environment. It makes sense to use Agrecovery's service to recycle empty agrichemical, animal health and dairy hygiene containers."

This service is free for products from participating brand owners.

Farmers and growers can drop off empty plastic containers at close to 80 drop-off points nationwide. For those with high volumes, or for more than three large plastic drums, on-farm pick-ups can be arranged.

"It makes recycling your empty containers and drums a no-brainer," says Andrew.

Since the programme commenced, it has diverted more than 2000 tonnes of plastic. This plastic is then repurposed in New Zealand as underground cable cover.

"It's a completely sustainable, 100 per cent solution," says Andrew.

"We don't ship it to another country for recycling, so there is also minimal impact on the environment."

The programme also offers safe disposal of unwanted or expired agrichemicals and has collected over 100 tonnes so far.

Agrecovery is a great example of how manufacturers, industry, government and consumers can work together to reduce the harmful impacts of plastic waste, he says.

"The programme is growing year-on-year, with a 40 per cent increase in the volume of plastic recycled in just the last 12 months," says Andrew.

It is accredited by the Ministry of the Environment as a product stewardship initiative and is supported by seven primary industry trustee organisations who govern the programme.
Sixty participating agrichemical brands voluntarily pay a levy on all the products they sell so that farmers and growers can use the service for free.

Retailers like Farmlands, Farmsource, Rural Co and PGG Wrightson volunteer their time and space to help with collecting empty containers.

"These companies show a commendable commitment to product stewardship and sustainability by helping their customers responsibly dispose of leftover chemicals and packaging through the Agrecovery programme," says Andrew.

Andrew asks farmers and growers to buy from participating brand owners.

"If you buy from those who aren't participating in the scheme, talk to your rep about getting them to be part of the solution," he says.

Rural retailers wanting to become a drop-off point should talk to Agrecovery. "Your customers will appreciate the service, and it will incentivise them to come back to your store." The programme is also pursuing options for capturing other waste, such as fertiliser packaging.