From Film to Raw Material – Contract Service Providers as Key Partners in the ERDE System

Anyone who walks through agricultural areas with open eyes will see them almost everywhere: silage and stretch films, nets, fleeces, twines, and other types of agricultural plastics. They are indispensable in day-to-day farming practice – yet they also pose an environmental challenge if they are not returned into the recycling loop after use. This is precisely where the ERDE initiative (Erntekunststoffe Recycling Deutschland) comes in – a system financed by manufacturers, supported by agricultural traders and contractors, and actively used by farmers. The aim is to establish a functioning circular economy for agricultural plastics.

A Strong Network for Collection

For the 2025 collection campaign, farmers have access to a dense network of over 700 permanent collection points and around 3,000 mobile collections, operated in cooperation with more than 150 collection partners. This ensures the smooth return of used agricultural plastics, which are then sent for recycling. A key part of this network is formed by active contracting companies: they organise local collection points, reach out directly to their customers, and ensure efficient procedures. How well this works in practice can be seen in the example of the contracting company Stolte in Willebadessen, where numerous farms have delivered their used agricultural plastics sorted by type. The close cooperation between ERDE and the German Association of Agricultural Contractors (BLU), which has been in place for many years, makes a significant contribution to this success – a genuine best-practice example of a circular economy at work in agriculture.

Communication as a Success Factor

For the collection system to work effectively, good communication between all parties is essential. Many contracting companies are setting a strong example: they contact their customers directly, announce collection dates well in advance, and, alongside traditional channels, increasingly use WhatsApp groups or digital platforms to share information quickly and easily.

“Direct engagement works best, as it makes customers feel involved.”
– Ricarda Glunz, LU Stolte Peckelsheim

For farmers, this means they know in good time when and where they can deliver their used materials – and what needs to be considered. The effectiveness of this communication was clearly visible during the visit to the contracting company Stolte Peckelsheim in Willebadessen. Many farms emphasised how important proximity and clear information are to ensure smooth and efficient drop-off processes.

How the collection works

At the collection points organised by contracting companies or other collection partners, farmers bring in their used films and nets. Proper sorting by material type is essential – silage film with silage film, stretch film with stretch film, nets with nets. On site, the materials are received, bundled, and prepared for further transport.

For farms, this means a clear and simple system: an uncomplicated, low-cost drop-off option, transparent processes, and the good feeling of contributing to more sustainable agriculture.

From Field Back into the Cycle

After collection, ERDE’s recycling partners take over. Used agricultural plastics are turned into high-quality regranulate, which the industry can reuse as raw material. In this way, old silage film becomes a new resource – a true circular process. 

Contracting companies play a central role in this: they are the vital link between farmers, trade, and manufacturers. Without their commitment, the system would not function.

Sharing Responsibility

The ERDE initiative operates under the umbrella of the IK Industry Association for Plastic Packaging as a specialist group and is managed by RIGK. Manufacturers support the system financially, taking responsibility for their products. Contracting companies and other collection partners provide collection points, while farmers deliver their used plastics separated by material type. Recycling partners ensure that these materials re-enter the production cycle.

This voluntary collaboration across the entire value chain has proven to be a successful model – and continues to grow steadily.

2024 Results and Outlook

In 2024, ERDE and its partners once again achieved a significant increase in the volumes collected. For example, more than two-thirds of all silage and stretch films placed on the market in 2024 were collected and recycled – and the trend is rising.

Thanks to the manufacturers’ voluntary commitment, the initiative stands as a European best-practice example of circular economy in action.

Active Contractors

For the system to continue growing, more active contracting companies are needed – those willing to offer collection points and thus enable their customers to dispose of used plastics cost-effectively, following the example of Stolte in Willebadessen.

Every additional collection site helps further improve the network’s nationwide coverage.

„When the collection point is nearby and the dates are clearly communicated, we naturally take our films for recycling. For us, it’s a win-win situation.“
– Axel Martmann, Landwirt

ERDE at Agritechnica 2025

At this year’s Agritechnica, the ERDE initiative will be represented with its own stand in Hall 27. There, ERDE will be available for discussions, present the latest results, and provide an outlook on the years ahead. By exhibiting at Agritechnica, ERDE also aims to demonstrate that circular economy in agriculture is already a well-established practice – not just a vision for the future. Visitors are warmly invited to meet ERDE on site and explore opportunities for organising future collection activities together.

“Circular economy in the agricultural sector is not a vision but a lived reality. That’s exactly what we want to showcase at Agritechnica.”
– Boris Emmel, System Manager ERDE

Contact:

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