Landfills, Hazardous Waste & Recycling

Plastic bale and silage wrap can be recycled through a product stewardship scheme operated by Plasback who offer an on farm collection service.

Agrecovery operate product stewardship schemes for many common agrichemical brands. Smaller plastic chemical containers and larger drums can be recycled through there on farm collection service or regular drop off events. For more information visit the Agrecovery website.

Farm and agricultural plastics that cannot be substituted for more sustainable materials or methods should be recycled appropriately where possible. Plasback New Zealand offer a range of recycling and collection options for many common agricultural plastics including bale wrap, feed bags, woven polypropylene bags, and shrink wrap.

To arrange a collection or find out what other services are offered please visit Plasback

The Hawke’s Bay regional Council in cooperation with Agrecovery provide a facility for the disposal of unwanted agrichemicals. This is operated on behalf of the Council by the 3R Group. In many cases the service will be provided at no cost to you. Contact 3R Group or visit their website to book a collection, they will be able to let you know if you qualify for free collection:
3R Group
409 Queen Street, Hastings, 4122
Tel: 06 872 7235
Web: https://3r.co.nz/chemcollect/

Why are there so many unwanted agrichemicals out there?

Since 1999 there have been key developments in the horticultural industry that have resulted in fewer petrochemicals able to be used by growers. The amount of agrichemicals being collected has however remained relatively constant, party due to the following factors:

• Organic certification - the increase in growers changing to organic production in Hawke's Bay, resulting in strict audits by organic certifying organisations requiring the removal of all non-organic chemicals form the properties.
• Agrichemical use restrictions - due to increasing pressure from overseas buyers or groups, ENZA and pipfruit export organisations that resulted from the deregulation of the pipfruit industry, have increasinlgy reduced the range of agrichemicals that could be used. While this has been good for the long term environment, it has meant that much of the bulk quantities purchased at the end of each financial year could not be used and remained unused or forgotten about in sheds.
• Grower audits - overseas buyer groups such as Tesco, Nature's Choic, Sainsburys and the GLOBAL G.A.P.audit requirments have resulted in on-site auditing of grower properties, which require the removal of an increasing range of agrichemicals which are no longer approved for application.

Growing public awareness of the known and unknown impacts of chemicals on our health and environment are driving responsible disposal practices.

If you have an environmental asbestos incident or complaint to report please contact our pollution hotline as soon as possible on +64 0800 108 838.

Asbestos is a common problem throughout New Zealand and may be present in buildings and structures built between 1950 and 2000. Worksafe New Zealand provide comprehensive information on asbestos and how to manage it whether you are a home owner, business or industry. Professionals working with asbestos are required to meet the requirements of the Health and Safety at Work Act. We always recommend that you engage a professional asbestos operator if you suspect that you may encounter asbestos during the work. If you are carrying out the work on your own property ensure that you learn about the risks and precautions before starting any work yourself.

Disposing of Asbestos, asbestos should always be disposed of by a registered professional. Transfer stations within the Hawke’s Bay do not accept asbestos and it can only be disposed of at Omarunui Landfill, Farm road Landfill and Wairoa Landfill by registered asbestos removalists.

• e-Waste including batteries, computers and electronic goods. Product stewardship schemes are operated by major electronic produces through the Techcollect program. Batteries and a variety of other e-waste can also be disposed of at the Environment Centre Hawke's Bay.

• Automotive wastes such as oil, fuels and antifreeze are generally disposed of by your mechanics, however if you are undertaking the work yourself this can be disposed of at HazMobile collection that are held annually by local Councils. For larger or commercial quantities Waste Petroleum Combustion Ltd collect and recycle used oils to be used in other products