Farm safe, waste smart: Agrecovery’s chemical collection in action

If you have unwanted or expired chemicals sitting in your farm shed, now is the time to register them with Agrecovery - ahead of a Canterbury-wide collection in November. 

Agrecovery is a rural recycling programme partnering with us to help minimise and manage farm waste. 

This year, we're funding Agrecovery’s chemical waste collection programme, which means disposal of many chemicals will be free or subsidised. Depending on volume or chemical type, there may still be a cost associated. 

The collection programme offers farmers a solution for disposing of hazardous chemical waste safely to avoid harm to humans, animals and our environment. 

Senior science advisor Jack Grinsted said he understood many farms still had chemicals sitting in their back shed that had been left there for years, often by previous generations or former owners.

“We want to help clear the clutter in a way that’s not going to harm the environment,” he said.

Agrecovery chief executive Tony Wilson said farmers could be assured that personal or identifying information would not be shared outside of the collection programme.

“We aim to keep the process simple and hassle-free, while giving farmers confidence that their unwanted chemicals will be disposed of safely. It’s about protecting people, land and waterways, and making it easier for farmers to do the right thing.”

Collection dates and registration

• Time frame: Collection runs throughout November
• Registration: Farmers must register by 15 October to allow time for pickup arrangements
• Limit: Limited collection quota – early registration is recommended

How to register your chemical waste

Three steps to register your chemical waste for collection:

• Make an inventory: Download an Agrecovery chemicals registration form (PDF file, 556KB). Include the chemical name, manufacturer, pack size, remaining contents and condition of the container. If the contents are mixed or unknown, simply list them as unknown. 
• Submit your registration form: If you aren’t already an Agrecovery member, register here. Alternatively, you can post or email (addresses included on form) the registration form or call 0800 247 326.
• Confirmation: Agrecovery will contact you to advise whether any of the booked chemicals have a disposal cost. At this point, you can choose to continue with all, some or none of the booking. Once your booking is confirmed, Agrecovery will advise whether your collection will take place on-farm or at a collection point. 

Most of the animal agrichemical, animal health and dairy hygiene manufacturers and distributors pay a levy to Agrecovery, which enables safe disposal of unwanted chemicals.

The programme holds annual regional collections. However, you can register your chemicals to be included in the next collection anytime.