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Our work

New Zealand agriculture’s effort to recycle its waste plastic is a good news story that should be more widely known. That effort is now at a crossroads, however. If the industry does not take the initiative to lift recycling to the next level, then government will impose a scheme that will cost suppliers and ultimately farmers more in the long run.

Stewardship

Plasback operates a Product Stewardship scheme to recover used farm plastics for recycling. Plasback came to New Zealand in 2006, and has gone from strength to strength. Operating their original bin and liner system, which when combined with on farm collection, has contributed to Plasback not only running a simple and effective system but has meant over 30,000 tonnes of waste collected since the scheme’s inception. As part of our continued commitment to Product Stewardship we now operate nine purpose built balers designed to improve the onward transport logistics from our main centres to the recycling plants, and have introduced new products made from recycled plastics, Tuffboard, Tuffdeck, and Plaswood. We have a reliable network of Contractors who run the collections, and cover the whole of New Zealand.

Plasback was the first product stewardship scheme for agriculture to receive accreditation from the Ministry for the Environment in 2010.

For further information please visit the FAQ page, or to receive a copy of the brochure please email your contact details to recycle@plasback.co.nz.

Ag Recovery

The two main farm plastic collection programmes in New Zealand’s primary sector – Agrecovery and Plasback – have agreed to work together to improve the services they provide farmers and growers.

It will see them join forces to provide the most efficient and cost-effective means to collect and recycle used farm plastic.

Both companies have been collecting and facilitating the recycling of farm plastic in New Zealand for more than 15 years. Both are accredited voluntary product stewardship schemes under the Waste Minimisation Act.

Accreditations

Plasback was accredited by the Minister for the Environment under the Waste Minimisation Act 2008 on the 4th of May 2010.

*This includes silage wrap, silage covers, grain bags, polypropylene bags, twines, large drum recovery, vine nets and irrigation pipes