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.
Rural recycling programme AgRecovery says it is "turning up the dial" on sustainability, with the rollout of recycling of bags made from low density polyethylene (LDPE) plastic in Marlborough and Hawke's Bay. This comes ahead of a nationwide rollout, following successful trials held in the regions last year.
Operations advisor Felicity Mitchell says the success of these trials and the enthusiasm of farmers and growers are behind the move to a permanent solution for the bags, which are used for fertiliser and fungicides.
"Our focus is now on finding other sites around the country for collecting the plastic and engaging more manufacturers to support the programme," she explains.
"LDPE is a low-quality plastic, making it more difficult to recycle, but we don't want it being burnt or buried on farms. We're passionate about finding the most sustainable solution for all the products we collect."
After 15 years of offering container and drum recycling, the not-for-profit organisation is partnering with agricultural manufacturers to clear more plastic from farms.
This initiative is part of a broader plan that AgRecovery is developing, with the government and industry, to set up product stewardship schemes for the sector.
