ERDE Initiative Launches 2026 Collection Campaign and Expands Agricultural Plastics Recycling

Following a successful year in 2025, the ERDE initiative is launching its new collection campaign for 2026. With increasing collection volumes, new partners, and the continuous development of the system, the initiative is maintaining its growth trajectory. With more than 700 collection points and over 160 collection partners, the network continues to expand steadily – not only in Germany but also with significant progress in Switzerland. Together with agricultural businesses, collection partners, manufacturers, and recycling companies, ERDE aims to return even more agricultural plastics to the circular economy in 2026 and conserve valuable resources.

Strong performance provides the foundation for the new season

The development over recent years clearly demonstrates the growing commitment to recycling agricultural plastics. The 2024 collection campaign delivered particularly encouraging results: a total of 39,940 tonnes of agricultural plastics were collected and recycled through the ERDE system – setting a new record for the initiative.

Through material recycling, approximately 37,258 tonnes of CO₂ equivalents were saved. This corresponds to around 324 million kilometres driven by passenger cars, the area of approximately 3,500 hectares of forest, or the carbon sequestration capacity of more than 2.6 million trees.

These figures underline the effectiveness of the system: manufacturers, agricultural trade, contractors, farms, and recycling partners are working together to reintroduce agricultural plastics as valuable raw materials and further strengthen the circular economy in agriculture.

Expansion and new partners strengthen the system

Alongside increasing collection volumes, the initiative’s network continues to grow. New manufacturers are joining the system and actively supporting the take-back and recycling of agricultural plastics. Recent participants include EXPORPLÁS – Indústria de Exportação de Plásticos, S.A. and MANTZARIS S.A.

In addition, AGRAVIS Raiffeisen AG has joined as a major agricultural trading company. As a key partner in agricultural practice, AGRAVIS contributes to expanding the take-back system and creating additional collection points for farms.

The system is also evolving in scope: with the  inclusion of greenhouse films and drip tapes, further important material streams have been permanently integrated into the collection and recycling system. This closes a previous gap in the take-back of agricultural plastic products and expands opportunities for farms to return materials in an environmentally responsible manner.

International exchange and collaboration

In addition to developing the system in Germany, ERDE is increasingly engaged in international exchange. Recognised as a “voluntary best-practice model” by the trade magazine Plasticulture, the initiative supports the development of comparable EPR systems, for example in Switzerland, and maintains ongoing dialogue with international stakeholders.

In this context, ERDE will participate this year in the National Collection Scheme Meeting of European collection systems and manufacturers on 19–20 March. Representatives from various national take-back systems will come together to exchange experiences and develop joint approaches for sustainable agricultural plastics management.

This international dialogue helps share proven solutions and advance the circular economy in the agricultural sector beyond national borders.

Ambitious goals for the 2026 campaign

With the launch of the new collection campaign, ERDE aims to build on past successes and further strengthen its system. The objective remains to continuously increase collection volumes, expand the network, and provide farmers with simple and comprehensive return options for agricultural plastics.

“The development of recent years clearly shows what can be achieved together,” says Boris Emmel, System Manager of the ERDE initiative. “By further expanding our collection system and collaborating across the entire value chain, we aim to return even more agricultural plastics to the cycle this year. Especially in challenging times, we want to support agriculture by offering a cost-effective return solution for used agricultural plastics.”

Join the 2026 collection campaign

Farmers, traders, and collection partners are invited to actively participate in this year’s campaign. Every returned film, net, and twine helps to keep raw materials in circulation and reduce the environmental footprint of agriculture.

ERDE would like to thank all participants for their commitment and looks forward to taking the next step together towards a sustainable and future-proof agricultural sector.

Further information:
Boris Emmel
System Manager ERDE
Phone: +49 611 308600-20
Email: emmel@rigk.de