Media Statement
9th May 2011

Agrecovery comes to Northland for agrichemical collection

The Agrecovery Chemicals programme will be holding its first collection of unwanted and expired agrichemicals in the Northland region shortly.

The rural recycling programme will complement the Northland Regional Council’s long-running household hazardous substances collection programme, which is designed to remove small quantities of mainly domestic chemicals from homes in the region.

In contrast, the Agrecovery Chemicals programme, launched in July 2009, is available for all primary sector users of horticultural and agrichemicals, including farmers, growers, contractors, veterinary clinics, golf courses and others. It is easy to use, safe and fully compliant.

The programme offers a fully auditable record of disposal which farmers and growers can use for NZGAP and other quality assurance programmes.

Anyone wanting to dispose of unwanted agrichemicals needs to book with Agrecovery prior to the collection event. In the case of the upcoming Northland collection, the booking deadline is 27th May 2011.

Following the booking Agrecovery assesses which chemicals can be disposed of for free and which are eligible for subsidies for the cost of collection and disposal.

The programme is part funded by contributions from the companies that support Agrecovery, and local and central government.

Agrichemicals belonging to the more than 50 brand owners who support the Agrecovery Container and Chemicals programmes are usually eligible for free disposal, though some conditions apply.

The booking process is easy and can be done online at www.agrecovery.co.nz where a simple search function allows users to select the agrichemicals they wish to dispose of. Otherwise they can ring Agrecovery for a booking form on freephone 0800 247 326.

Specialised, highly experienced hazardous substance contractors will safely handle, store and dispose of the agrichemicals received through approved channels.

Those with unwanted household or garden chemicals are advised to contact the Northland Regional Council on (0800) 002 004 as these chemicals are not subsidised under the Agrecovery Chemicals programme.

Agrecovery provides the primary sector with sustainable alternatives to the burning and dumping of plastic waste and the disposal of unwanted chemicals in the primary sector.

Developed by industry for industry, Agrecovery is fully supported by most of New Zealand’s leading agrichemical, animal health, silage wrap and crop protection net companies. It is safe, reliable and fully compliant with accreditation to Environmental Standard ISO 14001.

The Agrecovery Chemicals programme complements the nationwide agrichemical container, silage wrap and crop protection net recycling programmes also run by Agrecovery.

Agrecovery’s chemical and container programmes are MfE accredited Product Stewardship Schemes under the Waste Minimisation Act 2008.

ENDS

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