Congratulations to all farmers in the Co-op taking advantage of our partnership with Agrecovery.
Over the past year our collective efforts have contributed to 1.674 million kgs of plastic being recycled. That’s the same weight as 775 utes!
This includes 629,500kg of the high-density polyethylene (HDPE, a non-biodegradable thermoplastic polymer made from petroleum), an increase of 18.4% on the previous year.
Agrecovery is a not-for-profit charitable trust that operates several Product Stewardship Schemes and provides New Zealand farmers and growers with nationwide programmes for the disposal of unwanted agrichemicals and the recycling of empty containers, drums, intermediate bulk containers, and small seed, feed and fertiliser bags.
Farm Source has been working with Agrecovery from the outset. As of 2024, all our stores have a recycling collection container on-site offering customers easy and convenient ways to recycle farm products.
“It has become part of the shopping experience to bring triple-rinsed containers and plastic waste in to Farm Source for recycling,” says Farm Source Category Strategy Manager Mark Ennis.
“A lot of on-farm waste is generated from the likes of agrichemical containers, soft plastics etc. and it’s important that we partner with organisations like Agrecovery to support their efforts here. All containers are recycled in New Zealand into safe end uses including underground electrical cable covers.”
Farm Source’s own brand Country Mile has been a member of Agrecovery since 2010 and since that time has been using its recycling service for rigid plastic (HDPE) containers up to 60 litres and 200-litre drums.
It is also a member of Agrecovery’s Small Bags Product Stewardship Scheme. This means farmers can recycle the woven PP bags from Country Mile’s dairy and complementary range, as well as the LDPE packaging from the Country Mile magnesium animal health products.
Farm Source also partners with Agrecovery on its Rubbish to Reusable recycling service with farmers able to recycle containers, feed and seed bags, and metabolic bags.
What can be recycled?
Containers
Containers must be plastic, between 0-60 litres in size, with their lid and pail handles removed. Pail lids can be folded and placed inside the pail. They must be free from residue and dirt inside and out. Containers must be triple-rinsed and well-drained. Note. Only containers from participating brands are free to recycle. Look for the Agrecovery logo on the pack, or check online. Please leave the label on for identification at the collection site.
Woven PP and LDPE bag recycling
Fully remove the string or cut along the top of the bag to remove residue and give a good shake. Ensure bags are clean. Put the bags in their specific liner (either LDPE or Woven PP). Each liner fits 100 empty bags. Once full, seal the liner with the zip tie. Each zip tie has a code on it – this is needed for Agrecovery to record your recycling activity. Store in a dry and shaded location. Only woven PP and LDPE bags from participating brands are free to recycle. Look for the Agrecovery logo on the pack, or check online. Please leave the label on for identification at the collection site.
How to recycle
Head down to your local Farm Source to recycle your agrichemical containers and seed and feed bags.
- All containers, bags and liners will be inspected by site staff before being accepted.
- Large users (500+ containers) can request on-property collection.
- There are other recycling options available for containers between 61 and 1000 litres.
- Small bags must be 40kg or under in size.
- Woven PP plastic has the recycling code 5. LDPE has the recycling code 4.
- Bags must be no older than six months old. Bags that have been stored for long periods may be sun damaged and/or disintegrated and cannot be recycled.
Visit our website or your local Farm Source store to find out more about the recycling options.
Find out more about Agrecovery.
