Agrecovery, Plasback join forces
The two main plastic collection programmes in New Zealand's primary sector - Agrecovery and Plasback - have agreed to work together.
A proposed recycling levy on commonly used polyethylene woven seed sacks and bags is likely to come into effect next year.
Meanwhile, the seed industry continues to investigate sustainable packaging options. Under an amendment to the Waste Minimisation Act, manufacturers who sell agricultural products with plastic packaging, including polypropylene (PPE) seed sacks and bags, will be required to pay a fee to an accredited organisation to collect and recycle farm plastic packaging.
General manager of the New Zealand Plant Breeders Research Association Thomas Chin says the association is committed to sustainability and industry best practices to achieving official waste minimisation obligations. He says the Government's proposed farm plastic waste levy will have significant ramifications for users of polypropylene seed sacks and bags.
"Our understanding is that by the middle of next year there will be a mandatory regime in place for the recycling and recovery of plastic seed sacks and bags, with a compulsory levee charged to the importer or brand owner of the bags."
Imminent requirements include companies importing, manufacturing and supplying bags to pay a levy on small seed sacks and bulk bags used domestically. The levy would be paid at the border or first point of handling into New Zealand to ensure 100% capture and pay for the colletion and recycling. Most if not all of New Zealand's plastic bags are manufactured abroad and imported into the country.
Chin says that for several years the New Zealand seed industry has been evaluating sustainable bag options such as multi-wall paper bags which are widely used internationally.
He says there are some physical challenges, such as robustness and moisture barrier properties, which are especially important for the storage of endophytic seeds.
Ministry for Primary Industries (MPI) director general Ray Smith says job cuts announced this morning will not impact the way the Ministry is organised or merge business units.
Scales Corporation is acquiring a number of orchard assets from Bostock Group.
Family and solidarity shone through at the 75 years of Ferdon sale in Otorohanga last month.
The Ministry for Primary Industries (MPI) has informed staff it will cut 391 jobs following a consultation period.
New Zealand farmers are committed to making their businesses more resilient to climate change and are embracing innovation to help them do so.
Atiamuri farmers Paul and Lesley Grey never gave up their dream of owning their own farm – and in 2020, that dream came true.
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