A practical approach to farm waste management for catchment communities

Catchment groups play an important role in supporting farmers to achieve positive environmental outcomes. While much attention is often focused on water quality, biodiversity and soil health, farm waste management is another area where sharing practical improvements can make a real difference.

Catchment groups are a group of landowners, land users, and community members working together to address shared water and land management challenges within a defined catchment area. Catchment groups play a vital role in improving the health of waterways, protecting biodiversity, and promoting sustainable land use practices. 

From bale wrap and agrichemical containers to tyres, fencing materials and general farm rubbish, knowing what to do with different waste types can be complicated and the information is spread over a range of website and resources.

Recognising that waste management can be a complex issue for farmers, the WasteMINZ Farm Waste Working Group was formed with the purpose of making waste minimisation and recycling on farm easier and more achievable.

The Farm Waste Working Group is a group with local and regional council representatives from Environment Canterbury, Hastings District Council, and all six Otago councils, with a shared goal of creating practical, farmer-focused solutions.

The resources the group have developed have been tested by farmers and catchment groups. They are built around a farmer-to-farmer approach that acknowledges the realities of running a farm while highlighting practical actions that can reduce waste and improve environmental outcomes.

Resources include:

• Farm Waste Guide
  The guide outlines opportunities to minimise waste on farm and bring together management and disposal options for a wide range of farm waste materials. The intent is for the guide to be localised. Localising the guide makes it easier for farmers to identify services and solutions available in their area and can help strengthen relationships between council and catchment groups if tackled together.

• Practical workshop resources
  A guide to running a farmer-led workshop which can be tailored to the goals and needs of individual catchment groups. Taranaki dairy farmer and waste expert Trish Rankin has supported several workshops around the country.
• Farm recycling signs
  These signs are designed to make on-farm recycling systems clearer and more user-friendly.
• Short videos
  These videos showcase practical solutions shared by farmers for farmers, including numerous tips and tricks for effective and efficient farm waste management. (Release date likely to be late 2026.)

With support from NZ Landcare Trust and the above councils, 18 farm waste workshops and recycling drives have been delivered across Canterbury, Otago and Hawke's Bay over the past 18 months, receiving positive feedback from participating farmers. Many of these workshops were facilitated by Trish Rankin, who has worked closely with farming communities to identify practical, workable solutions.

According to Trish there are solutions for around 80% of the waste generated on farms however in her view they're just not always well understood or easy to access.

“The workshop approach is about understanding the challenges farmers face, discussing local options, and sharing simple changes that can make a difference on farm," says Trish.

By equipping farmers with practical information, local solutions and opportunities to learn from their peers, these resources and workshops help turn farm waste management from a frustrating challenge into a manageable part of everyday farm operations.

If your catchment group is interested in running a farm waste workshop or accessing the resources, visit the Farm Waste webpage or contact your local council.