Appendix One

The 2002 estimates are presented below, with a summary of collection results and a brief discussion.

Table 2: 2002 estimates of intractable agricultural chemicals and updated estimates

* Note: where an estimate is 0 tonnes, it should be noted that there are probably still small amounts of intractable material present.

Collection results and discussion

Council Collections

Between 1997 and 1999 a consortium of seven councils worked together to dispose of intractable agrichemicals. The councils involved collectively shipped 120 tonnes of intractable agrichemicals overseas. Since then, some regions have maintained ongoing collections, while others have run less frequent collections. An outline of each region’s collections and progress is presented below.

Northland

In 1993 Northland undertook a collection of intractable material. A further collection in March 2004 yielded 4.6 tonnes of intractable material. In 1994/95 the Council investigated the use of organochlorines on Landcorp and former Lands & Survey land and made arrangements for the safe disposal of unwanted material.

Northland Regional Council has been an active partner in the Ministry for the Environment’s agrichemical programme. Between 2003 and 2006 Northland has disposed of approximately 19.6 tonnes of unwanted intractable agrichemicals.

Northland Regional Council staff consider that most of the users of intractable agrichemicals have been cleared. Northland is now nearly clear of intractable agrichemicals and as at June 2006 it is estimated that approximately 1 tonne of intractable agrichemicals will remain.

Auckland

Auckland undertook a huge effort to clear their region in 1999 and contributed 59.4 tonnes of intractable material to the Council consortium collection at the time. They have continued to run regular collection services (2–3 times a year) for both rural and urban hazardous waste.

Auckland Regional Council has seen a steady decline in the quantities of intractable material collected. In 2001/02, 4.6 tonnes of intractable agrichemicals were collected and in 2002/03 only 3.6 tonnes. This was reduced further in 2003/04 when only 1.5 tonnes of intractable agrichemicals were collected.

It is felt that Auckland has removed the historical legacy of hazardous waste, with only approximately 7 tonnes of intractable agrichemicals remaining. It is considered they are over the peak of outdated material and their volumes collected are stable for implementing a long–term solution.

Waikato

Waikato also had a significant amount to contribute to the consortium in 1999 with 29.3 tonnes of intractable material. Waikato has continued to provide regular collections and 1–2 tonnes intractable material is collected each year.

It is assumed there is still historical legacy material in this region although it is not known how much remains. Environment Waikato feels that the estimate of 24.1 tonnes in 2002 is low and has been calculated incorrectly.

A pilot collection was undertaken in 2004/05 during which approximately 3 tonnes of intractable agrichemicals were disposed of. It is now estimated that 77 tonnes of intractable agrichemicals remain in the Waikato region.

Bay of Plenty

Bay of Plenty also contributed to the consortium in 1999 with 9.6 tonnes of agrichemicals. Since then collections have occurred each year with lower volumes in 1999/00 and 2000/01, of 1–2 tonnes. In 2001/02 a large volume of over 7.5 tonnes of intractable material was received, including one very large amount from one farm. In 2002/03 the kiwifruit industry helped collect 1.2 tonnes of intractable agrichemicals. In addition, the Bay of Plenty utilises the HazMobile.

Between 2003 and 2006 Environment Bay of Plenty disposed of approximately 13.6 tonnes of intractable agrichemicals, through the Ministry for the Environment’s agrichemical programme.

It is now estimated that the Bay of Plenty is essentially clear of intractable material, although traces may remain.

Gisborne

Previous collections in Gisborne include 6.7 tonnes of intractable material collected between 1997 and 1999. A small collection in 2003 collected nearly 700 kg.

Gisborne District Council has been involved in the Ministry for the Environment’s agrichemical programme for three years, disposing of approximately 4 tonnes of intractable agrichemicals. Gisborne is now considered effectively clear of intractable material.

Hawke’s Bay

Hawke’s Bay contributed 7.3 tonnes to the 1999 consortium and has since collected between 1–2.5 tonnes of material each year. Low volumes and numbers registering in recent collections suggest this region is cleared of the bulk of the historical material. There has been good availability to collections 2–3 times a year. In 2004 there was also the removal of a large 4.3 tonne stockpile of DDT fertiliser.

Hawke’s Bay Regional Council has participated in the Ministry for the Environment’s agrichemical programme in 2003/04, 2004/05 and 2005/06. During this time approximately 12.5 tonnes of intractable agrichemicals have been disposed of. Hawke’s Bay is now considered relatively clear of intractable material.

Taranaki

Taranaki contributed 6.9 tonnes of intractable agrichemicals to the consortium in 1999. Since then a collection in 2001 collected a further 4.2 tonnes of intractable agrichemicals. In 2004, Taranaki participated in the Ministry for the Environment’s programme, resulting in the collection 2.6 tonnes of intractable material. Taranaki Regional Council has recently undertaken a survey of all farms in their region and found results similar to the 2002 Tredi estimate of 2.5 tonnes.

Taranaki are confident that the historical material has been removed for their region, with only approximately 2 tonnes of intractable material remaining.

Manawatu–Wanganui

A collection in 1996 removed 9 tonnes of intractable material from Manawatu–Wanganui. This collection was preceded by a major publicity programme. A recent assessment undertaken by Horizons Regional Council suggests that approximately 5–10 tonnes remain in their region.

Horizons Regional Council is participating in the 2005/06 agrichemical programme run by the Ministry for the Environment. It is hoped that this will result in the disposal of approximately 6–8 tonnes of intractable material.

In June 2006 it is estimated that approximately 2 tonnes of intractable material will remain in the Manawatu–Wanganui region.

Wellington

After completing a collection from 2001 to 2003 that resulted in 11.6 tonnes of intractable material, Wellington provided feedback on the Tredi report to say it is more likely to have 87% remaining to be cleared, rather than Tredi’s estimate of 80%. This increases the estimate to 25.7 tonnes remaining in this region.

Greater Wellington also collected information on the amount collected per property and found that each property had approximately 25 kilograms of intractable material. This suggested to Tredi that the model is appropriate for this region. The district councils run drop–off points and some have an annual household HazMobile collection.

It is estimated that approximately 25.7 tonnes of intractable agrichemicals remain in the Wellington region.

Tasman

A collection between 1993 and 1997, from 500 farms collected 10 tonnes of intractable material. Since then a further 1 tonne of material has been collected from drop–off points and a 1.2 tonne stockpile of intractable–contaminated sawdust removed.

Material has been cleared from Tasman District as part of the Ministry for the Environment’s agrichemical programme. In total approximately 8.8 tonnes of intractable agrichemicals have been disposed of.

It thought that Tasman is now effectively clear of intractable material, although traces may remain.

Nelson

Nelson has never run a region–wide collection, however they maintain drop–off points where people can dispose of material. A good, one–off collection targeting the rural historical legacy material is probably sufficient for this region, as Nelson is primarily urban–based with a small number of farms.

Given no further information, it is likely the 2002 estimate of 0.7 tonnes is still applicable.

Marlborough

Marlborough contributed 7 tonnes of intractable agrichemicals to the consortium in 1999 and have since collected a further 3.1 tonnes from drop–off centres. Marlborough District Council participated in the Ministry for the Environment’s agrichemical programme in 2003/04, clearing 3.1 tonnes of intractable material. Marlborough is also participating in the agrichemical programme in 2005/06 and it is anticipated that approximately 8–12 tonnes of intractable material will be cleared.

It is estimated that as at June 2006, Marlborough will be effectively clear of intractable material, although a small amount may remain.

West Coast

West Coast Regional Council ran a collection in the early 1990s. Records of total volumes collected are unclear, but the collection included 0.5–1 tonne of DDT and a small amount of other material.

More recently, a three site collection was carried out in 2003 that collected 0.2 tonnes of intractable material. This collection included a high level of publicity to target the historical legacy material and provided good coverage of the region, although participation was low. The 2004 collection used 16 sites and collected 1.2 tonnes of intractables. A drop–off system is now also available, with three centrally located sheds in each district. To date very little material has been received and therefore it may be appropriate to assume there is less than the predicted 9.7 tonnes of intractable agrichemicals in the West Coast region.

West Coast Regional Council participated in the Ministry for the Environment’s agrichemical programme in 2003/04, collecting 0.5 tonnes of intractable material.

It estimated that as at June 2006, approximately 7 tonnes of intractable material remains in the West Coast region.

Canterbury

The 2002 Tredi estimate was based on 25 kg/property, however new information resulting from Environment Canterbury’s collections indicate this is an underestimate and 40 kg/property may be more suitable for this region.

Environment Canterbury has participated in the Ministry for the Environment’s agrichemical programme since 2003. By June 2006 it is estimated that Canterbury will have disposed of approximately 106 tonnes of intractable agrichemicals. This collection included 11.6 tonnes of stockpiled DDT fertiliser.

It is now estimated that approximately 34.1 tonnes of intractable agrichemicals remains in Canterbury.

Otago

A collection in 1997 visited 613 properties and collected 16 tonnes of intractable material. Otago Regional Council was involved in the Ministry for the Environment’s agrichemical programme in 2004/05 and 22.4 tonnes of intractable agrichemicals were collected.

It is now estimated that approximately 11.6 tonnes of intractable material remains in the Otago region.

Southland

Southland Regional Council undertook a survey in 1993 and then progressively collected from each area within the region from 1995 to 1997. The collection cleared 468 properties, resulting in 16.2 tonnes of intractable agrichemicals. These chemicals were kept in safe storage before being included in the council consortium in 1999.

Environment Southland was involved in the Ministry for the Environment’s agrichemical programme in 2005/06. This involvement cleared 10.2 tonnes of unwanted intractable agrichemicals from the region.

It is now estimated that approximately 5.8 tonnes of intractable material remains in Southland.