Wednesday, 26 June 2024 10:55

Plastic recycling efforts paying off

Written by  Staff Reporters
Agrecovery has designed the scheme to include a phased approach to encompassing a broader range of materials over time. Agrecovery has designed the scheme to include a phased approach to encompassing a broader range of materials over time.

Farm plastic recycler, Agrecovery’s Green-farms Product Stewardship Scheme (GPSS) has been officially accredited under the Waste Minimisation Act (2008).

The GPSS is designed to tackle the challenge of farm plastic waste head-on, with a focus on four primary farm plastics waste streams in the first 3 years of the scheme being in effect: agrichemical containers, bale wrap and silage sheets, small seed and feed bags, and large 1T and 500kg fertiliser sacks. The GPSS has also been accredited to incorporate Animal Health and Household Pest and Weed plastic packaging.

Agrecovery board chair Anders Crofoot says receiving the accreditation is a testament to the hard work and commitment of its team, stakeholders, and the agricultural community.

“Together, we are setting a new standard for environmental responsibility, ensuring that our actions today pave the way for a more sustainable tomorrow.”

“New Zealand dairy farmers are committed to reducing their environmental footprint, including minimising plastic waste. The GPSS offers a solution to enable our farmers to progress further along this journey,” says Burger.

Agrecovery has designed the scheme to include a phased approach to encompassing a broader range of materials over time with plans to significantly broaden the range of recyclable plastics covered by the GPSS in the next 2-7 years. This expansion is a response to the feedback from the farming community and an acknowledgment of the evolving needs of the agricultural sector.

Agrecovery chief executive Tony Wilson says that this is a landmark achievement not only for Agrecovery but for the entire New Zealand primary industry.

“Our accredited GPSS underscores our dedication to stewardship and sustainable practices, driven by the demands and cooperation of New Zealand’s farmers and growers. We’re looking forward to expanding our schemes and fostering innovation and collaboration to ensure a sustainable future for all.”

The GPSS will operate as a voluntary scheme until regulations are in place to ensure all producers of the targeted products participate.

Regulations proposed by the industry-led scheme co-design process to support the GPSS would require those selling the targeted products paying levies to enable a free nationwide collection network for farmers and growers.

More like this

Recycling 10,000 cow collars

MSD Animal Health New Zealand has partnered with Agrecovery in New Zealand’s first pilot to recycle SenseHub Dairy Collars (previously known as Allflex Collars) used by its dairy farmer clients.

Seeds of change

A proposed recycling levy on commonly used polyethylene woven seed sacks and bags is likely to come into effect next year.

Farm plastics recyclers join forces

The two main plastic collection programmes in New Zealand’s primary sector have agreed to work together to improve the services they provide farmers and growers.

Featured

National

India FTA 'still a priority'

Agriculture and Overseas Trade Minister Todd McClay says his government is pulling out all the stops to get a trade…

Extra funding for methane inhibitor

A methane inhibiting bolus specifically suited to New Zealand's pastoral farming system is awaiting regulatory approval for a launch late…

Cow collars reduce empty rate

With mating season just around the corner, Darfield dairy farmer Daniel Schat says activity-monitoring collars have been a game changer…

Machinery & Products

A range of tankers on offer

A relatively young company, founded in Germany in 1977 by Josef Fliegl Senior, the Fliegl Group now employs more than…

Choosing the right system

Choosing the right effluent system requires professional advice, considering future plans, and picking the right person for the job.

» Latest Print Issues Online

Milking It

Painting the cow red

OPINION: How do you get people to stop drinking milk and switch to foods like fruit, vegetables, nuts and grains?

Broken record

OPINION: It seems that our friends at Greenpeace are never satisfied.

» Connect with Dairy News

» eNewsletter

Subscribe to our weekly newsletter