The Agrecovery programme in the Bay of Plenty has made some changes to encourage greater participation by farmers and orchardists.
The programme provides a convenient way for them to get rid of their farm plastics and agrichemical containers without damaging the environment.

In the first of the changes the Te Puke collection site has moved to a new location at Panax Solutions on Pah Rd and the Edgcumbe collection site at the Environment Bay of Plenty works depot in Ngaio Place has extended its collection hours. The new Pah Rd site will be open from 8am until 4pm Tuesdays to Thursdays and the Edgcumbe one will now be open from 8am until 1pm Tuesdays to Thursdays.
The scheme which began in 2007 is supported by a levy at point of purchase. It began with just 15 collection sites nationwide and the support of 12 brand owners. Now the 70th collection site has just been opened and 43 brand owners are backing the scheme.
Bruce Emerson of 3R, the company that manages the scheme says recycling containers is a far better environmental outcome.
'So it's now up to agrichemical users to change their behaviour, say ‘no' to burning or dumping, and drop off eligible containers at their nearest collection site."
You can find out more about the Agrecovery scheme and the location of its collection sites at www.agrecovery.co.nz