Incentive to use agricultural recycling service
The Agrecovery container programme is again offering $5000 worth of rewards to encourage more farmers and growers to get recycling.
New Zealand's leading rural recycling programme provides free recycling for empty, triple-rinsed, 60-litre or smaller containers, from 59 supporting brand owners. Containers are shredded and recycled in New Zealand into a compliant end-use; a far better outcome than burning or burying on farm.
The programme is already well used by thousands of farmers and growers, but Agrecovery hopes the chance to win one of 10 $500 vouchers may be the nudge others need to get started, especially in the pastoral sector, where there has not been the same uptake as in horticulture and viticulture.
A similar promotion last year saw a substantial increase in the volume of container plastic collected during the two-month initiative, as well as an increase in the number of new members and people visiting the Agrecovery website to find out more about the programmes on offer.
The slower uptake of recycling in the pastoral sector has recently led Federated Farmers and Beef + Lamb New Zealand to call for the industry to adopt greener, more sustainable disposal of used plastics through the Agrecovery programme.
"Environmental stewardship is critical. Recycling is the one way we can turn a perceived environmental negative into a big positive," Federated Farmers chief executive Conor English says.
"Federated Farmers' enhanced involvement with Agrecovery continues a strong record of environmental leadership and supports our strategic plan which seeks profitable sustainable farming.
"It is a big challenge but the work the Agrecovery Trust does provides a practical solution for farmers to improve their environmental stewardship which Federated Farmers strongly supports."
The distance required to travel to dedicated landfills meant the convenience of burning or burying has been the traditional waste disposal method for most farmers.
Farm burial pits and burning piles are commonplace with all manner of waste materials, both household and farm related, in the mix. However studies show this results in health risks and negative environmental impacts.
Beef + Lamb's general manager farm Richard Wakelin says New Zealand's clean-green image and reputation is at stake every day, with consumers increasingly concerned about animal welfare and how goods are produced.
"Keeping the farm tidy and operating to its full potential includes careful and considered disposal of contaminated materials and hazardous substances.
"Simply put, this is good management practice."
To take advantage of the Agrecovery promotion take eligible containers to any Agrecovery collection site nationwide during February and March.
The promotion is open to new and existing members in all rural sectors and the turf industry.
The Agrecovery Container recycling programme is funded by 59 leading agrichemical, fertiliser, dairy hygiene, animal health and biological products manufacturers and distributors, whose empty containers are eligible for free recycling.
For more information visit www.agrecovery.co.nz or call 0800 AGRECOVERY
