The New Zealand government has announced plans for a nationwide Rural Recycling Scheme for farm plastics starting in March next year, due to expand recycling and recovery of agrichemical containers, bale wrap and silage sheet with a new take-back system.
The plans were revealed by minister for the Environment Nicola Grigg, who states that the recycling scheme will be managed by the not-for-profit Agrecovery Foundation and replace the current voluntary recycling schemes. It will require producers to contribute a small fee for products sold to support a free network of collection services and take-back sites.
Apparently, the existing regional network of around 240 take-back sites will be expanded to allow for the increased volume of rural plastics for recycling markets. According to Grigg, the current voluntary schemes operated by Agrecovery and Plasback collect under half of the in-scope plastics that farmers and growers use, and the new national system will ‘significantly increase’ recycling and recovery and reduce the quantity of farm plastics going to landfills, being buried or burnt on farms.
Grigg adds: “Take-back services will also be available to other users of agrichemicals and farm plastics including the forestry, manufacturing, hospitality, tourism and sport sectors, and local authorities and contractors. Households will also have a bespoke national service for their pest and weed control products.”
Existing voluntary schemes will continue to operate until the Rural Recycling Scheme starts on 1 March 2027.
In other recycling news, March this year saw Boots reveal that customers can claim £5 worth of Boots Advantage Card Points through its existing recycling scheme using its app and in-store drop off points. Customers can download the Recycle at Boots App, register online with Scan2Recycle, and - once approved - deposit the empty packaging at the closest participating store and scan the QR code on the deposit box to claim their voucher.
The same month Asda claimed that 20 million coffee pods have been returned to its stores as part of Podback’s recycling scheme, with over 250,000 Podback bags received via Asda’s toYou counters since January 2025. Through the Podback partnership, customers can fill a Podback bag with used pods and drop it at any participating Asda toYou counter.
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