6.5% More Agricultural Plastics Collected

In agriculture, large quantities of plastic products are used every year – including silage stretch films, silage flat films, underlay films, and baler twine. To prevent these agricultural plastics from becoming waste, the voluntary take-back system ERDE Switzerland was established. Manufacturers, farmers, and collection point operators jointly take responsibility and ensure that used agricultural plastics are recycled and returned back into the material cycle. This conserves raw materials and reduces CO2 emissions.

In its fourth year of collection, ERDE Switzerland was able to increase the collected volume once again: Over 2,660 tonnes of agricultural plastics were collected, and both silo and stretch films were sent for recycling. Additionally, the network of collection points has been further expanded.

“Today, ERDE Switzerland counts 127 collection points – a pleasing number that shows how the network is growing and how all parties involved take responsibility to keep raw materials within the cycle. Together with our system operator RIGK GmbH, we continue to look for new collection points to cover areas that currently still have gaps. Compared to the previous year, the support of collection points has been further strengthened – a necessary response to the challenges of the recycling market,” explains Riccardo Casanova, Managing Director of ERDE Switzerland.

If the nearest collection point is far away, there is an opportunity to open one yourself – either permanently or with individual collection days each year. The collection points not only collect their own films but also offer this service to other local farmers. In doing so, they all benefit from shorter delivery routes and financial support by ERDE Switzerland. Those who participate make an active contribution to environmental protection and the preservation of valuable resources.

The collected films are recycled in Switzerland as well as in additional certified processing plants in the EU. Independent auditors confirm both the collection and the recycling, providing a report that documents proper processing. Through the collaboration of all parties involved with ERDE Switzerland, the materials cycle is closed, resources are saved, and the environment is protected.

Despite the already encouraging collection volumes, in Switzerland, only about a quarter of used silage films are currently recycled – so the potential remains significant. The collection and recycling of agricultural plastics make a clear measurable contribution to environmental and resource protection.

Contacts for inquiries:

- Kurt Röschli, President, +41 79 332 83 36, k.roeschli@erde-schweiz.ch
- Riccardo Casanova, Managing Director, +41 62 834 00 62, r.casanova@erde-schweiz.ch
- Carina Nijsen, Deputy Managing Director, +41 62 834 00 66, c.nijsen@erde-schweiz.ch
- Debora Rondinelli, Communication, +41 62 834 00 65, d.rondinelli@erde-schweiz.ch
- Hannah von Ballmoos-Hofer, Co-Head of Energy & Environment SBV, +41 56 462 50 06

Become an ERDE collection partner:
Anne Biehl
Contact person for our system operator RIGK
+49 611 308600-56, biehl@rigk.de

Publication: Free, we welcome a reference copy

Editor's note: Image rights belong to the respective publisher. Image rights: Siloballen