Transforming New Zealand’s approach to farm plastic waste : a path forward with Agrecovery’s Green-farms Product Stewardship Scheme

AUTHOR : Tony Wilson, Chief Executive, Agrecovery
Prior to the enactment of the Waste Minimisation Act (WMA) in 2008, “Aotearoa” New Zealand’s waste management strategies depended heavily on landfill, leading to significant environmental concerns due to the escalating volumes of waste and its impact. The WMA, marked a defining moment by establishing a detailed nationwide framework for waste management and reduction. Agrecovery embarked on the Green-farms Product Stewardship Scheme (GPSS) and was recently accredited as a voluntary scheme for all farm plastics management with very ambitious collection targets under a shared-responsibility approach. Tony Wilson, Agrerecovery’s Chief executive, gives Plasticulture Magazine a full account. This is just the beginning!
A legislative leap towards product stewardship
A crucial innovation of the Waste Minimisation Act (WMA) was the formal inception of product stewardship schemes, mandating a collective responsibility among manufacturers, importers, retailers, and consumers for the lifecycle management of products, particularly focusing on their end-of-life phase. This initiative facilitated both voluntary and mandatory product stewardship schemes, with the latter specifically targeting products posing significant environmental hazards.
Following the WMA’s implementation, the government identified several high-priority products necessitating mandatory product stewardship schemes as part of a move towards more regulated waste management practices. These included tyres, electrical and electronic equipment (e-waste), agrichemicals and their containers, refrigerants and other synthetic greenhouse gases, farm plastics, and plastic packaging as the initial triage.
The enactment of the WMA and the emphasis on these high-priority products represent a crucial evolution in New Zealand’s waste management approach. Through legislating product stewardship and pinpointing specific areas for prompt intervention, New Zealand aspires to lessen the environmental impact of waste, foster a circular economy, and emerge as a frontrunner in sustainable waste management practices. This legislative structure, combined with increasing public awareness and involvement, lays the groundwork for significant enhancements in New Zealand’s waste handling processes, championing environmental sustainability for future generations.
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