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A national scheme to recycle farm plastics is growing in popularity north of Auckland, thanks to increased environmental awareness, plus the enthusiasm of its Kaiwaka-based collector.
Plasback collects soft plastic including balewrap, silage sheets and feed bags, plus polyethylene drums, vineyard nets and twine and, since the scheme started in 2006, has picked up and processed more than 10,000 tonnes of plastic.
Farmers and growers buy special liner collection bags and pay to have them collected when full.
Programme manager Chris Hartshorne says the scheme has grown steadily in recent years, as more and more farmers become aware that plastics in the environment can cause significant damage if not disposed of properly. But he adds that Auckland and Northland have an added bonus in the form of local Plasback collector Bruce Ferguson, of Kaiwaka.
“We have seen a substantial growth north of Auckland due to greater awareness and the fact that we have a very motivated collector in Bruce Ferguson,” he says.
Bruce has been collecting plastic wrap and drums from farms throughout the region for two years. He says it’s a great system, providing people follow the guidelines about keeping different types of plastic separate
“You can’t just chuck it all in one bag,” he says. “The system works if people work with the system. But it’s good plastic and it’s getting processed.”
The scheme is not just confined to farmers, either – vineyards, horticulturists and even breweries can join in. One such example is Matakana’s Sawmill Brewery, which recently started using Plasback and has subsequently reduced its waste to landfill by a massive 85 per cent in just a few months.
All the waste plastic collected is recycled in Auckland, where it is made into a product called Tuffboard, a plywood replacement described as “non abrasive, lick-proof, chew-proof, rot-proof and does not splinter”.
“It is very strong, easily cleaned and very hygienic,” Chris Hartshorne adds. “This is a good example of the circular economy we have to strive for.”
Info: plasback.co.nz
