One-stop shop an opportunity to recycle

Last year's waste recovery event in Geraldine was well supported and bigger numbers are expected this year. Photos: Supplied

Farmers will be able to drop off chemical containers and other waste material at a one-stop shop in Geraldine next month.

''We did a similar pilot last year in Geraldine and got about 45 people,'' Rural Waste One Stop Shop Project manager Brian Vass said.

''We're expecting an increase on that this time and could handle a total of 150 people maximum.''

Besides chemical containers, farmers and growers will be able to drop off silage and bale wrap, fertiliser and feedbags, waste oil and unwanted chemicals for safe disposal and, if possible, recycling.

Mr Vass said they were working in conjunction with the Timaru District Council. ChemWaste would be overseeing the chemical collection.

ChemWaste will be present overseeing disposal of chemicals.

Timaru District Council waste minimisation manager Ruth Clarke said they were very pleased with the response from farmers at the pilot last year and hoped they would take the opportunity this year to recycle more agricultural waste products.

The event is being run as part of an Agrecovery programme with funding from the Ministry for the Environment. The Geraldine event will be one of six pilot rural waste management one-stop shop events around the country next month.

Geraldine farm manager Aaron Gorrie participated in the 2018 event and hosted an open day on the farm he managed prior to the pilot event so people could find out more about the project.

''Like most farmers we are committed to sustainable farming. It's important to leave a legacy for future generations.

''We have a Farm Environment Plan in place, and we work hard to ensure we meet the requirements of the plan. This is a great opportunity to have unwanted chemicals correctly disposed of.''

Mr Gorrie said since the 2018 event they had changed how waste chemicals and containers were handled.

''Containers are now rinsed immediately and stored separately in an easily accessible place and we make regular drops to the Agrecovery collection site in Temuka.''

The Agrecovery Foundation started in 2007, with a product stewardship programme designed to help clear plastic agrichemical containers and drums from farms and orchards around the country. The agrichemical industry funds the programme and recycles waste.

The programme also disposes of unwanted agrichemicals. Pop up events are held throughout the country and waste can also be dropped at fixed collection sites.

However, the Geraldine event will be unique because of the increased number of items that can be dropped off.

Waste must be prepared properly before drop off.

Farmers and growers interested in registering for the event and finding out more about how to prepare material for drop off should visit www.agrecovery.co.nz