Those who attended the Plastics Recycling session at the NZ Plant Producers Conference this year had a first glimpse of Agrecovery's new user-pays rural collection and recycling trial for bulk used rigid plastic pot and trays.

If you're producing plants commercially, you can start recycling.

• The flat rate is $350 per tonne plus cartage (at cost).
• The trial offers two resin streams (PP #5 and PS #6). PP and PS must not be mixed.
• Pots and trays must be knocked clean of soil and roots.
• Talk to Agrecovery about a suitable receptacle, such as an IBC, bulk bag, or your existing bin.
• The trial will not collect: Plastic plant identification labels, plastic plant bags, clay pots.

Note that this trial is not a funded product stewardship scheme. NZPPI will support Agrecovery as it continues to develop a voluntary scheme for plant pots and trays.

This trial is a fantastic first step for plant producers to manage their plastic waste sustainably and was strongly supported by conference participants. In addition, volume now will make the case for the funded scheme later, helping to ensure that our industry has a scheme ready when the Government considers plant pots and trays in the next phase of its nationwide rural recycling scheme.

The Government's first phase, announced last November, covers agrichemical containers and drums, bale wrap and silage film, small agricultural bags and bulk woven polypropylene bags. These groups already had established recycling programmes and were prioritised in the first round.

To get started with Agrecovery's user-pays collection and recycling trial for plant pots and trays, please email the Agrecovery scheme manager: info@agrecovery.org.nz