Waste produced from plastic used in the Agriculture sector is growing. The information below outlines some of the ways farmers can reduce this waste.
Agrecovery
Agrecovery was established to facilitate the recycling of agrichemical plastic containers in the rural sector.
Agrecovery collection sites are now in place across the country and all chemical companies supporting the scheme will in time have Agrecovery branding on their products so growers know which products are eligible to be accepted for recycling. In the Franklin District the collection point is:
Horticentre
221 Manukau Road.
Open Monday to Friday, from 8am till 5pm.
The plastic is picked up from the collection sites nationwide by mobile processing trucks which shred the containers into small pieces. The plastic is then supplied to Astron Plastics, a New Zealand based plastics recycler, which processes the material into products including underground drainage pipe and hazard identification sheets to cover electrical cable.
Agrecovery also operates a safe and simple national collection and disposal system for unwanted and expired chemicals in agriculture. Dependant on the type of chemical you have collection fees may apply.
Agrecovery now also have collections for silage wrap, contact wrap@agrecovery.co.nz for more information, fees may apply.
Franklin District Council encourages farmers and growers to use the Agrecovery services. Phone 0800 AGRECOVERY (0800 247 326) or visit their website for more information:
www.agrecovery.co.nz
Agpac Recycling
Historically wrap from silage and haybales has been considered difficult due to high levels of contaminants on the plastic. Agpac's scheme uses a bin and liner system to store the bale wrap, reducing ground contamination and allowing simple pick-up.
Collectors in the Franklin area are:
• Caddy Agriculture, Contact Lance Caddy 311 Kingseat Road, Pukekohe, 09 236 3439
• Lyall Goodwright, 612 Forestry Road, Waiuku, 0274 459 941
• Malcolm Kyd, 400 Maioro Road, Waiuku, 09 235 6360
For more information visit:
Agpac Recycling