Agrecovery Chemicals is a safe and simple national collection and disposal system for unwanted and expired chemicals in agriculture.

 Users can register either via www.agrecovery.co.nz or 0800 AGRECOVERY (247 326) and provide information about the type and quantity of chemical they wish to dispose of.

Agrecovery will determine whether the chemicals are suitable for a collection event or will require pick up at the User's property.

Chemicals are classified into 2 groups. Group 1 and Group 2.

Collection and disposal of Group 1 chemicals is free (costs are covered within the levy that brand owners collect and pay the Agrecovery Foundation as part of the Agrecovery Container programme).

Collection fees and some disposal costs for Group 2 chemicals are met by the User. Payment is via either a secure online credit card payment or an online banking transaction. Posting a cheque is also possible but not preferred.

Payment is required prior to collection and disposal activity.

When a threshold amount of chemical is registered in a region, plans for a collection event at an appropriate and safe site will be confirmed by the programme managers.

Users who have made bookings will be informed of the date and location of the collection event, and their appointment time by the programme managers.

Users bring their pre-registered chemicals to the collection event at the designated time and location.  Depending on the chemicals it may be more appropriate to arrange collection at the property.

The contractor managing the collection event uses a specially modified mobile facility to sort, contain and store the chemicals on the day.

The recovered and aggregated chemicals are delivered to the disposal contractor and disposed of appropriately.

Only booked and paid for (funded or user pays) chemicals will be picked up – no exceptions.

The collection and disposal of chemicals will be funded in three ways:

• Industry funded via the Agrecovery Container programme levy (paid to the Agrecovery Foundation by participating agrichemical, animal health and dairy hygiene companies – known as the participating brand owners)
• User charges
• Government subsidies (criteria applies)

The cost of individual bookings will depend on the type of chemical booked. 

Group 1:   Cost of Collection & Disposal Met by Industry

• Agricultural and veterinary products sold by participating Agrecovery brand owners
  

These products must be:

• Currently registered or have a registration / permit that expired less than two years ago
• In the original container
• Clearly labelled with the original label showing the product and manufacturer’s name and the dates of manufacture and expiry 

 
Group 2:   Fees apply for collection and disposal

• Agricultural and veterinary chemicals sold by companies who are not participating Agrecovery brand owners
• Agricultural and veterinary chemicals whose registration expired more than two years ago, including organochlorine and arsenical insecticides
• Unknown, mixed or unlabelled chemicals

You will be notified which grouping applies to your chemicals at time of booking.  Any applicable charges will be notified once the collection event has been arranged as fees are affected by location, chemical type and volume in your area. Payment of any charges must be made prior to the collection event. 

Brand owners, retailers, veterinary clinics and other stockists of chemicals in agriculture should contact Agrecovery directly about using the Chemicals programme to dispose of expired or unwanted chemicals.  Some additional costs may apply.

  Download a Brochure

It is important that chemicals are safely stored at all times.  The following organisations will be able to advise you on safe storage of chemicals on your property:

 Regional or Local Council

 Agcarm (www.agcarm.co.nz)

 Growsafe (www.growsafe.co.nz)

It is your responsibility to ensure chemicals are transported to the collection event safely.

• Check the labels on containers and follow any handling instructions.  Use protective clothing and equipment such as a mask or gloves.
• Make sure all containers are securely packaged so they can't leak or give off fumes.
• Keep flammable and reactive materials seperate from each other and other chemicals.
• Do not carry hazardous chemicals in the cab with you.  Instead put them in the boot or tray of your vehicle, or use a trailer.  Line with plastic sheeting to contain any spillages.
• Check if any containers are damaged or leaking.  Put leaking containers inside another secure container and put a label on the outside describing the contents,