New Interreg Project: AgriRePlas - Reduction of the Plastic Footprint in Agriculture

Today, the Interreg Upper Rhine Monitoring Committee has approved our AgriRePlas Project: A Cross-Border Initiative to Reduce the Plastic Footprint in Agriculture

The AgriRePlas project will start on the 1st of August as a cross-border initiative to reduce the plastic footprint in agriculture across the Upper Rhine area – including Northern Switzerland, Baden, Alsace, and Southern Palatinate. Farmers, research institutions, and agricultural associations are joining forces to better understand plastic use and its environmental impact.

Plastic materials such as mulch films, tunnels, and tree guards are widely used to boost yields and conserve resources. However, plastic pollution – especially microplastics – increasingly threatens soil health and ecosystems. AgriRePlas aims to systematically assess the current situation, identify risks, and develop targeted, sustainable solutions.

The project focuses on fruit and vegetable production and promotes reusable systems, improved recycling, and the testing of safe, biodegradable alternatives. A multilingual online knowledge platform, pilot farms, and a cross-regional “Round Table on Plastics in Agriculture” will ensure broad dissemination and exchange.

Running over four years, AgriRePlas aims to establish effective, scalable practices for a more sustainable agricultural future – reducing environmental harm without compromising productivity.

The project with a total budget of 1 643 802.49 € will receive partial funding of 986 281.49 € from the European Union.