Buller District Council has partnered with with Agrecovery and waste recycling company, Smart Environmental to offer an agrichemical recycling container programme to Reefton.
Buller Waste management coordinator, Juliana Ruiz said residents were 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,” said Ms Ruiz.
“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.”
She said onsite property collections will also be available where 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 said it was exciting to be opening a new collection site in Reefton, adding to the charitable trust’s 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,” he said.
“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.
Agrecovery’s nationwide programme has recycled close to 3.5 million kilograms of plastic containers since it began in 2007.
