Reduction of the plastic footprint in agriculture
A cross-border project for Alsace, Baden, the Southern Palatinate and northern Switzerland
Our project will start on August 1, 2025!
The AgriRePlas project will launch on August 1st as a cross-border initiative to reduce the plastic footprint in agriculture across the Upper Rhine region, encompassing Northern Switzerland, Baden, Alsace, and Southern Palatinate. While plastic materials such as mulch films, tunnels, and tree guards are widely used in modern agriculture to improve yields and conserve resources, their growing environmental impact—especially through microplastics—raises serious concerns for soil health and ecosystems.
AgriRePlas aims to systematically assess the current use of plastic in agriculture, with a focus on fruit and vegetable cultivation. The project will evaluate the plastic footprint, identify areas with high risk of environmental release, and develop targeted, sustainable solutions. These include expanding reusable systems, improving recycling strategies, and testing safe, biodegradable alternatives.
In collaboration with farmers, research institutions, public authorities, and agricultural associations, the project will develop and pilot practical measures on representative farms. Findings will be shared via a multilingual online knowledge platform, and a cross-regional “Round Table on Plastics in Agriculture” will support knowledge exchange and policy dialogue.
With a total budget of €1,643,802.49—of which €986,281.49 is EU-funded—AgriRePlas will run over four years. Its goal is to foster scalable, environmentally responsible practices that maintain productivity while minimizing plastic-related harm in agriculture, setting a model for broader European replication.
