Zero Waste: Farm Plastics
Solutions found for managing waste farm HDPE plastic containers
Farm plastic is a persistent and growing problem for farmers and growers in New Zealand.
The 'Agrecovery Foundation' has been established to address this problem. Founding members include Federated Farmers of N.Z., Horticulture NZ, Agcarm Inc., Environment Waikato, and Fonterra Co-op Group. The Ministry for the Environment is also supportive of the Foundation.
Agrecovery is a 'product stewardship' programme for the recovery of triple-rinsed agriculture and forestry sector plastic containers. It is to be managed by Responsible Resource Recovery Ltd.
The nationwide scheme will be financed by a levy, paid by producers, on every litre of eligible product placed on the New Zealand market. Twenty-four 'Brand Owners' have expressed their intention to participate. The start date is set for April, 2007. It will take triple-rinsed HDPE plastic agrichemical containers (60 litres/kilogrammes or smaller), from farmers and growers throughout New Zealand.
Silage Wrap
The Foundation recognises the need to try and find solutions for other on-farm plastic wastes, and exploratory work is underway to scope out opportunities related to introducign silage wrap and large plastic containers. This is at an early stage, but is something they aim to achieve in the future.
Background
A project team looking into the sustainable management of unwanted agri-chemicals and farm plastics recently finished its first year of work. Solutions for the management of unwanted farm plastics have been selected and will be trialled as pilots this coming year.
Year one was focused on research projects that have helped form ideas on how best to run a national scheme for the environmentally sustainable management of these problematic waste streams. The solutions selected will be piloted in the Waikato, Hawke's Bay and Canterbury regions this financial year.
The research conducted on the environmental impacts of various disposal options for plastics (eg triple rinsed agri-chemical containers and silage wrap) indicated that on-farm solutions (eg burning or burying) were worse for the environment than off-farm solutions.
Surprisingly, even the diesel used in the tractor to dig a hole to bury the plastic generated more emissions that were harmful to the environment than diesel used in transporting the plastics to a collection facility. Air quality was shown to be impacted badly by both of the on-farm options when compared to other options.
"As a result of this research, we can confidently state that it is better, from an environmental view point, that farmers and growers take their unwanted farm plastics to a collection point for landfilling rather than dispose of them on-farm" says Sandy Scarrow. It was then shown that recycling these plastics into products that replaced products made from 'virgin' plastic rather than wood provided the greatest environmental benefit.
Another piece of research looking into the economic impact of these disposal options showed that on-farm burning of plastics was the cheapest strategy for farmers and growers. Interestingly, if all costs are taken into account, on-farm burial is one of the most costly disposal options.
For recycling to be economically sustainable, it was shown that additional funding is required. The prospect of striking a levy on agri-chemicals and silage wrap is presently being considered to help support recycling. "Levies are used as a funding mechanism overseas, we just need to work through the relevant legislation in New Zealand to institute a levy here" says Peter Ensor, of the New Zealand Agrichemical Education Trust and a working group member.
The third piece of research looked at what had occurred around the world with respect to these waste streams. Models that appear to be appropriate for New Zealand include DrumMuster, (www.Drummuster.com.au), and the EcoRecycle silage wrap recycling programme. (www.ecorecycle.vic.gov.au) Minor alterations to these programmes will be made for trialling in the New Zealand pilots.
"The plastics we are dealing with are easily recycled, the problem is the contamination issues." says Sandy Scarrow. "To reduce these contamination issues farmers and growers are being urged to triple rinse or pressure rinse their agri-chemical containers and shake as much contamination as possible off their silage wrap."
Rather than provide a service for the collection, storage and disposal of unwanted agri-chemicals, the project team has decided to provide information to farmers and growers. The information aims to ensure that limited volumes of product become unwanted and if it does, that it is disposed of appropriately either on-farm or using a specialised service provider.
The pilots are set to be in operation late November and early December of this year in locations in the Waikato, Hawke's Bay and Canterbury. Further information will be provided for farmers and growers in the selected locations closer to the time.
For further information contact Sandy Scarrow, Project Manager, sandys@clear.net.nz, 07 578 9857, go to www.growsafe.co.nz or download the newsletter below.
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On Farm Plastics Newsletter #1 |