New Rural Recycling Scheme to Replace Voluntary Farm Plastics Programmes by 2027
Environment Minister Nicola Grigg has announced details of a new rural plastics recycling scheme.
A rural recycling scheme will now include on-farm collection of large drums.
The new Agrecovery service offers free collection of empty containers 61-1000L from 14 participating brand owners of agrichemical and dairy products (Agrisource, Adama, Bayer, BioAg, Donaghys, Etec Crop Solutions, FIL, Farmguard, Orion Crop Protection, Post-Harvest Solutions, Ravensdown, Synergy, Syngenta and Yara). More brands are expected to join.
“A solution for larger packaging is a natural next step for Agrecovery,” says Adrienne Wilcock, who represents DairyNZ on the Agrecovery Foundation.
“Large scale farmers, spray contractors and dairy farmers especially should take note that their large drums and IBC’s can now be collected for free.”
Agrecovery currently recycles the containers of 60 firms – 1 million kg of plastic since launching in 2007.
“It’s a good way for farmers to divert more waste from farm dumps or burning pits, especially in areas where burning is banned, like Canterbury and Southland,” Willcock says.
“As a dairy farmer myself, I’ll be supporting the brands that offer this solution with Agrecovery.”
Dairy hygiene firm GEA FIL drums can now be recycled via Agrecovery.
In addition to free on-property collection of large drums, smaller FIL containers (60L and under) can be taken to any of the 70 Agrecovery collection sites. They must be empty, triple rinsed and free from dirt and residue inside and out.
Tel. 0800 247 326
www.agrecovery.co.nz
Federated Farmers says it welcomes Labour's commitment to reviewing the Sharemilking Agreements Act, calling on other major parties to do the same.
For Canterbury dairy farmers Sian Meijer and Rick Wobben, wearable technology has become one of their most valuable on-farm tools - helping manage 1850 cows across an expansive, high-performing dairy operation while improving efficiency, mating outcomes and day-to-day decision making.
Fonterra has unveiled its annual results for the 2026 financial year, posting $27 billion in revenue and close to $20 billion returned to New Zealand farmer owners and unit holders.
The first major update to the Dairy Cattle Code of Welfare in more than a decade has been released, marking what DairyNZ describes as an important step in ensuring animal welfare standards continue to evolve alongside scientific evidence and on-farm realities.
Ravensdown shareholders have elected Jane Montgomery and Kate Acland to the Ravensdown Board for three-year terms, following a closely contested director election.
Federated Farmers says new legislation replacing the Resource Management Act will cut red tape, unlock investment and help grow New Zealand's export-led economy, after the Planning Bill and Natural Environment Bill passed their third reading in Parliament yesterday.
OPINION: It seems Canterbury processor Synlait is still in the doldrums.
OPINION: Get offside with New Zealand First leader Winston Peters at your own peril.