Farmers and growers are proving their worth as good stewards of the land, by achieving record-breaking volumes of
plastic recycling through the rural recycling programme, Agrecovery.
The past year has seen a 43 percent increase in rural plastic coming back for recycling at Agrecovery’s sites, events
and via on-farm pick-ups. The staggering 437 tonnes of plastic containers collected over the past year is now being
given new life. “This is a massive leap from the 320 tonnes collected the previous year,” says Agrecovery General
Manager Simon Andrew.
“The figures show that we are now recycling more than half of the agrichemical containers and drum plastic sold in the
New Zealand market,” he says. Those manufacturers who participate in the programme pay a voluntary levy to support the
recycling of the containers and recovery of any end of life product – at no cost to the farmer.
“We take our hats off to all those farmers and growers that have been making the most of our recycling programme,” says
Andrew. “They should be commended for taking the time and effort to triple-rinse containers and bring them in for
recycling.”
“Like most consumers, farmers and growers are often left with plastic packaging and they don’t want it to end up in
landfill or release emissions by burning it. They are motivated to do the right thing – and the best thing is to turn it
into a resource that doesn’t get wasted,” Andrew says.
The plastic is shredded, cleaned and broken down into a resin before it is made into materials like cable cover and damp
course – a building material to prevent rising damp. These products are then sold locally for New Zealanders, “it’s a
great example of a circular economy,” says Andrew.
Andrew says that because the whole recycling process is done in New Zealand, “we use fewer emissions than shipping the
plastic offshore, we reuse the materials, and our programme has the added bonus of supporting the local economy. It’s a
win-win,” he says.
This huge growth in recycling coincides with not just a national focus on waste, but a worldwide focus on the ethical
and sustainable processing of many types of plastic waste.
“Our goal is to investigate broadening the types of plastics that can be recycled through our programmes and grow
resourcing in New Zealand to repurpose this plastic and make it go another round,” says Andrew.
“Supporting farmers to preserve the environment by providing alternatives to the harmful disposal practices of burning,
burying and stock-piling of waste is vital for the future of New Zealand. As a not-for-profit organisation, we are
ideally suited to lead the charge on this and provide solutions for our farmers and growers in their role as
kaitiakitanga –being good stewards of the land.