A new scheme to improve the management of farm plastic waste in Southland, and around the country, is up for public consultation.

Farmers are already clever environmental stewards, with this scheme a golden opportunity for the Government to support the rural sector in continuing to minimise its environmental footprint while maintaining productivity.

What’s positive is that the agricultural sector is driving this initiative, which is all about making services simpler and more accessible for all users of regulated farm plastics.

Dubbed ‘Green Farms,’ the proposed regulations will establish a cohesive product stewardship scheme for agrichemicals, their containers, and farm plastics, offering a smart alternative to burning or burying plastic waste on farms.

We know that plastic products are vital to New Zealand’s world-leading agri-economy, but rural communities also know that waste like agrichemical containers and bale wrap can quickly stack up.

Plastic wrap usage is growing, with 9000 tonnes used in 2017, compared to 13,516 tonnes expected to be used this year.

This scheme provides a streamlined system where producers, sellers, and users can take responsibility for the entire lifecycle of products, from design to disposal.

I understand that rural communities in the South want a simple, effective system – and I believe this ticks the boxes.

The programme will also provide farmers with free drop-off sites and collection services and will bring the existing Agrecovery and Plasback programmes into a single national recycling system.

Key industry stakeholders back the scheme - now it’s up to farmers to have their say.

Public consultation runs to June 1.

Funded by Parliamentary Services