Crop Plastics Recycling Germany (ERDE)

A unique recovery concept

Crop Plastics Recycling Germany (ERDE) is a recovery concept for crop plastics. The necessity for this concept arises from the massive use of silage stretch film, silage sheets, underlayer films and other plastics products in the agricultural sector. This is because: in particular in such a nature-orientated branch, these films may not pollute the environment after use, and must be introduced into the closed loop recycling management.

For a sustainable agricultural economy which is gentle on resources, members of the IK Industrievereinigung Kunststoffverpackungen (Industrial Association for Plastic Packaging) e. V.  have, together with RIGK, taken the initiative for environmental protection, and have called the Crop Plastics Recycling Germany system into being.

Participating manufacturers from the crop plastics sector you can find here

Which packaging is returnable?

At the Crop Plastics Recycling Germany (ERDE) collection points, silage sheets, underlayer films, silo tubes, silage stretch film, net replacement films, asparagus film, perforated film, baler twine, nonwovens and mulching film can be handed in free of charge. Asparagus farmers can contact RIGK directly for the return of asparagus film.

How does the return work?

The crop plastics which are returned via Crop Plastics Recycling Germany (ERDE) are divided into five groups (see above) and have to be collected and handed in separately accordingly. Crop plastics have to be free of coarse dirt, and no foreign materials (e.g. iron, wood or tyres) may be in which them. The criteria are checked on hand-on by trained personnel.

Sustainable recycling

The ERDE system is a simple solution for the reliable, environmentally-friendly and sustainable disposal of agricultural plastics. The collected plastics are crushed, washed and melted to regrind during material recycling , and then used for the production of very different plastic products. Through the successful collaboration between producers and farmers, the recyclable material cycle can be closed, resources preserved and the environment protected.  

You can find all information concerning hand-in on the ERDE Recycling website!

More about:

• 10th Anniversary of ERDE Initiative - Nationwide Take-back System for Agricultural Plastics in Germany
   
• ERDE Switzerland collects over 1,800 tonnes of agricultural plastics in its first year
   
• ERDE Recycling with Pilot Project for Greenhouse Film Recycling