New Zealanders urged to share views on proposed regulations.
The New Zealand government has launched a public consultation on proposed regulations aimed at improving the management of farm plastic waste. Environment Minister Penny Simmonds said the industry-led initiative would bring together existing Agrecovery and Plasback programmes into a single national recycling system, making services simpler and more accessible for farmers.
The proposed regulations support a nationally consistent product stewardship scheme for agrichemicals, their containers, and farm plastics, helping farmers reduce their environmental impact while maintaining productivity. The unified system would see producers, sellers, and users take responsibility for the entire product lifecycle, from design to disposal.
Public consultation, which opened today, will focus on regulations supporting the new Green-farms scheme, offering national take-back services for a wide range of consumers, including households needing proper disposal options for pest and weed control product containers. The programme will ensure farmers have access to free-to-use drop-off sites and collection services.
The consultation period will run until 1 June 2025. Information and submission forms are available on the Ministry for the Environment's Citizen Space website. Key industry stakeholders back the scheme, which offers a better alternative to burning or burying plastic waste on farms.