Old or forgotten farm chemicals stored in sheds across Central Otago could pose a hidden risk to people, animals and the environment, prompting a new regional push to get them safely off properties. 

Central Otago District Council’s (CODC) waste team says it is likely dangerous substances are still sitting in farm sheds and storage areas - and many can be difficult to dispose of responsibly. 

“As we are largely an agricultural and horticultural district, our history with chemical use is a long one,” CODC said in response to questions from The Central App on a new on-farm pick up service on

offer. 

“It is normal to expect that there are chemicals sitting in sheds that this chemical recovery scheme can offer an effective and safe disposal method for.

“They are known to have a high toxicity, and they remain intact for a very long time and are toxic to both humans and wildlife.”

To help clear out these unwanted agrichemicals – including fertilisers, herbicides, fungicides, and pesticides - Agrecovery is running an on-site collection service in Central Otago this December. 

The initiative, supported and partly subsidised by CODC and Otago Regional Council, allows farmers and growers to register their unwanted products for pick-up.  

For most modern, registered products disposal is free thanks to a product stewardship model, as the cost is already built into the purchase price. 

Older or unregistered chemicals may incur a disposal fee, but CODC said subsidies will help keep costs down. 

“The full cost for the disposal of these is not yet known, as it will depend on the types of chemicals that get registered,” a council spokesperson said.

This will be the first time CODC has supported an on-site collection, although the council has helped fund agrichemical return events in the past. 

The council emphasises this initiative targets rural users. Householders can still dispose of small quantities of hazardous chemicals through Alexandra and Cromwell transfer stations, although charges

apply.

“This collection option coming up in December with Agrecovery is an efficient way for people with quantities to be collected on-farm,” the spokesperson said. 

“It helps support our aim to make Central Otago a low-waste district.” 

Collected substances will be handled and identified by qualified staff, then categorised according to type and required disposal method. 

“Agrichemicals are disposed, as appropriate, according to New Zealand regulations. Depending on the class of agrichemical, these are either disposed of in New Zealand or in France in specialised

high temperature incineration plants,” the spokesperson said.

In an earlier statement, Agrecovery chief executive Tony Wilson said those taking advantage of the scheme 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.” 

Farmers, growers, and vineyard operators have until Saturday (November 15) to sign up for the collection at agrecovery.co.nz or by emailing info@agrecovery.org.nz. 

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