EPR in Agriculture: ERDE as a Voluntary Best-Practice Model

Voluntary EPR in Practice – With Measured Impact

ERDE  is organised under the umbrella of the German plastics packaging association (IK), managed by RIGK, and operates under shared responsibility: participating manufacturers finance the system; the agricultural trade operates collection points and logistics; farmers deliver cleaned, sorted used plastics; and recycling partners turn the materials back into recyclates.

This shared-responsibility model mirrors the intent of EPR – without a legal mandate for non-packaging agri-plastics – by aligning funding, operations and quality assurance across the chain.

ERDE’s latest results underline the effectiveness of the model: in 2024, 39,940 tonnes of agricultural plastics were collected and mechanically recycled, avoiding 37,258 tonnes of CO₂-equivalents.

Beyond volumes, standardised fraction-specific collection (e.g. silage film, stretch film, baler twine or other agri-plastics) improves recyclate quality and market acceptance, which is the key to real circularity.

Clear targets, transparent governance and operational learnings

In January 2024, ERDE renewed its voluntary self-commitment with the German Environment Ministry (BMUV). Among others, the goal is to collect and recycle at least:

• 60% of asparagus films placed on the German market by 2026

• 75% of silage and stretch films by 2027

Additional fractions – such as drip tapes or greenhouse films – were initially piloted with the intention of future integration, and have meanwhile already been incorporated into the ERDE system.

From the experience based on the operational scale of the collection and recycling scheme put in place, three elements stand out for replication across Europe:

1. Funding upstream: manufacturer eco-contributions cover the costs of take-back and treatment, keeping costs low for farmers.

2. Proximity and timing: dense networks of collection days at agri-trade sites or contractor yards minimise transport effort and contamination.

3. Quality rules: simple preparation guidance (shake-off, bundle, fraction-pure) lifts yield and recyclate quality, stabilising end-markets.

Alignment with EU ambitions

In Germany and Switzerland, the ERDE initiative already demonstrates a successful, voluntary collection and recycling system for agricultural plastics. However, the challenges of such voluntary schemes are well known, such as establishing a level playing field. Some countries, like Ireland, have established mandatory national collection schemes, while others rely on voluntary initiatives or isolated private solutions. These private approaches often lack transparency in tracking processes and data, and they operate only regionally rather than nationwide.

To overcome these inconsistencies, effective national, industry-led collection systems should be established across Europe, tailored to local needs and developed collaboratively with all stakeholders. Such an approach ensures circular management of materials, creates a level playing field, and prevents free riding within the sector.

Contribution and international context

This article was developed in cooperation with CIPA Plasticulture, an international association dealing with all aspects of plastics in agriculture. It was published in the September issue of Plasticulture Magazine, which provides expert insights and innovations in agricultural plastics and is accessible worldwide.

What’s next

ERDE will continue expanding fraction coverage where viable, deepening cooperation with contractors and agri-trade to close regional gaps, and publishing annual performance data to maintain trust.

The initiative has already used major industry events such as Agritechnica in Hanover, which has now successfully concluded, to join forces with participating manufacturers and other stakeholders, exchange best practices and discuss how voluntary schemes can complement regulatory pathways. This further advances circularity in agriculture and shows that it is not only a good intention, but already lived practice.

contact:

Initiative ERDE
System Manager Boris Emmel
emmel@rigk.de
+49 611 308600‑20

IK Industrievereinigung Kunststoffverpackungen e.V.
Dr. Laura Müller, Economic affairs officer
l.mueller@kunststoffverpackungen.de
+49 6172 9266-30