Wild Rivers Rafting has recently been out on the water with two volunteers removing the remains of baleage wrap from along the Buller River.
This plastic waste entered the Maruia and Buller Rivers during the 2022 floods. The baleage wrap was found tangled in trees, around rocks, and in the sand on our Westcoast beaches.
We provided funding towards this clean-up, and the waste is being disposed of via our community clean-up fund.
There have been several of these clean-ups organised over the past two years, ably assisted by the local community, farming groups and businesses, all of it voluntary and very much appreciated by those who use our rivers, oceans, and beaches.
We ask that farmers think carefully about where they store their baleage, their used wrap, and where they position their rubbish pits. Please store bales and the waste wrap after feeding out on high ground well away from flood-prone areas.
We also want people to keep an eye out for historic rubbish pits near waterways that may be prone to opening during large flood events.
Baleage wrap recycling is available through Plasback Recycling, visit plasback.co.nz(external link).
If you have any questions, please reach out to [email protected].
If you are planning a community clean-up event, we can provide free rubbish disposal. Find out more here.(external link)