The New Zealand Government has announced a regulated Rural Recycling Scheme for farm plastics, which will come into effect on March 1, 2027, replacing existing voluntary recycling initiatives. 

Established under the Waste Minimisation Act 2008, the scheme will introduce a mandatory producer responsibility and take-back system for specified agricultural products and plastics. The scheme will be operated by Agrecovery, a non-profit organization focused on agricultural waste recycling. 

Products Covered 

The scheme will apply to: 

• Agrichemicals sold in plastic containers or drums of up to 1,000 litres.  

• Plastic bale wrap and silage sheets.  

• Agricultural products sold in:  

• Plastic bags weighing 16–40 kg.  

• Woven polypropylene bags weighing more than 40 kg.  

• Agricultural products include seeds, livestock feed, fertilizers, soil and crop inputs, and livestock supplements.  

Key Producer Requirements 

From March 1, 2027, producers selling regulated products in New Zealand will be required to: 

• Register with the regulated scheme operated by Agrecovery.  

• Report their regulated sales volumes every quarter.  

• Pay mandatory fees based on the quantity of regulated products sold.  

• Participate in the take-back and recycling system for end-of-life agricultural plastics.  

The scheme represents New Zealand’s move from voluntary recycling initiatives toward a mandatory product stewardship framework for farm plastics and related agricultural products. 

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