Seeds of change

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.