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 recycling company Plasback says its collection rates for used silage wrap are climbing steadily.
Plasback manager Chris Hartshorne says the company is on track to collect 2000 tonnes in the year ending June 2015.
Some regions have seen particularly strong growth, he says.
“In Southland/Otago, Taranaki, Bay of Plenty, Hawkes Bay and Nelson/Blenheim we have already collected more in the first half of this year than in the whole of last year. Waikato and Canterbury are also tracking well up on last year.”
The $40 fee to collect each bin liner full of waste silage wrap is no higher than when the service started in 2006, he says.
“The more farmers we have on board, the cheaper and more efficient the service we can provide. With more people in the scheme, our collectors can stop at more farms on each pickup run and they can make their runs more frequently.
“We are building two new balers to process the wrap more quickly. Collection can slow during summer when the contractors who collect the liners are tied up with hay and silage making, so we urge our customers to have a bit of patience.”
Plasback also collects 200L Ecolab and Agpro plastic drums and collection rates of these for 2014-2015 are also well up on last year. The service has recovered 1483 large drums during the first six-month period compared to a total of 1688 during the full 2013-2014 year.
Tel. 0508 338 240
This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.
Federated Farmers president Wayne Langford is claiming “some real success” on the 12 policy priorities it placed before the Coalition Government.
Federated Farmers is throwing its support behind the Fast-track Approvals Bill introduced by the Coalition Government to enable a fast-track decision-making process for infrastructure and development projects.
The latest report from ANZ isn’t good news for sheep farmers: lamb returns are forecast to remain low.
Divine table grapes that herald the start of a brand-new industry in Hawke’s Bay have been coming off vines in Maraekakaho.
In what appears to be a casualty of the downturn in the agricultural sector, a well-known machinery brand is now in the hands of liquidators and owing creditors $6.6 million.
One of New Zealand’s deepest breeder Jersey herds – known for its enduring connection through cattle with the UK’s longest reigning monarch, Queen Elizabeth II – will host its 75th anniversary celebration sale on-farm on April 22.
OPINION: Talking about plant-based food: “Chicken-free chicken” start-up Sunfed has had its valuation slashed to zero by major investor Blackbird…
OPINION: Synlait's financial woes won’t be going away anytime soon.