Agrichemical container recycling now available in Reefton

22 Jul 2022

Agrecovery, Smart Environmental and Buller District Council have partnered to bring the Agrecovery container recycling programme to Reefton.

Buller Waste management coordinator, Juliana Ruiz says: “People are now able to bring their plastic agrichemical containers to the Agrecovery collection site at the Reefton Transfer Station.

The programme can recycle a range of containers used for common dairy and farming uses such as weed spraying, shed washing and teat sprays for cows.

Containers can be received during Transfer Station opening hours and there is no charge for the service, provided that containers are from participating brands of the Agrecovery programme. A full list of these brands can be found on the Agrecovery website.

Mrs Ruiz says that “having the Agrecovery programme available in Reefton is brilliant as it will be convenient for farmers in the area. It provides a safe and environmentally friendly solution for plastic waste around the farm.”

Onsite property collections can be arranged when there is an excess of 300 containers. Farmers would need to book this service by contacting Agrecovery via their website.

Drums and intermediate bulk containers could also be collected from farm sites by contacting Agrecovery directly.

Agrecovery chief executive Tony Wilson says “we’re excited to open a new collection site in Reefton to add to our 160 sites nationwide. Agrecovery’s focus is on recovering as much plastic as possible from the rural environment whilst ensuring an easy and efficient recycling solution for New Zealand’s farmers and growers who want to do the right thing.

We want people to know that this plastic is in demand and not waste. 100% of the plastic containers collected are recycled right here in New Zealand and processed into other useful products like underground electrical cable cover.”

Containers will be inspected and must meet the following criteria:

  • Up to 60 litres in size
  • Lids removed
  • Free from chemical residues inside and out. Containers must be triple rinsed and adequately drained.
  • Product label left on.

The nationwide programme is run by a charitable trust and has recycled close to 3.5 million kilograms of plastic containers since they started in 2007.

Farmlands in Westport is an alternative Agrecovery collection site in the Buller District.

 

-ENDS-

 

for further information please contact:

Juliana Ruiz

Waste Management Coordinator