From field to policy: Europe aligns on the future of agricultural plastics recycling
By Kathleen Laissy, APE Europe
On 19 and 20 March 2026, key stakeholders from across Europe’s agricultural plastics value chain gathered near Munich for the European NCRS Meeting. Over two days, participants from industry leaders and national schemes to policymakers and recyclers shared one clear message: the future of agricultural plastics in Europe will depend on the successful deployment of National Collection and Recycling Schemes (NCRS).
But beyond presentations and policy discussions, the meeting began where circularity truly starts: on the ground.
From the field: Germaringen collection point
On the morning of 19 March, participants visited a collection point in Germaringen, Bavaria, a concrete example of how NCRS operate in practice.
Twice a year, typically in March and October, farmers from the surrounding region bring their used agricultural plastics to this site. What we saw was both simple and powerful: large volumes of used silage films, stretch films, nets and twine, carefully gathered and sorted, awaiting collection and recycling.
Dirty, often heavily contaminated with soil and organic residues, these plastics reflect the real conditions of agricultural use. Unlike clean industrial waste, agricultural plastics are exposed to weather, handling and biological matter. Their collection and recycling therefore require dedicated systems, adapted logistics and engaged users.
And yet, what was most striking was not the complexity, but the organisation and participation.
Farmers arrived with pre-sorted materials, often packed in dedicated collection bags such as those provided under the ERDE system. Local actors, including contractors and cooperatives, play a crucial role in organising logistics. The system works because it is embedded in local agricultural practices.
A shared conclusion: NCRS are the cornerstone of circularity
Back in the conference room, discussions confirmed what the field visit had already illustrated: NCRS are the only proven model capable of delivering circularity for agricultural plastics at scale.
Across Europe, systems at different stages of maturity, in Germany, France, Ireland, Switzerland, as well as emerging initiatives in the Netherlands, Belgium and the UK, demonstrate that:
- high collection and recycling rates are achievable,
- systems can be adapted to national contexts,
- and industry-led approaches can deliver concrete results.
However, they also highlighted a critical reality: success depends on system design, governance and full participation.
The free-rider challenge: a systemic risk
One issue emerged consistently across all discussions: free-riders are the biggest threat to NCRS performance.
Whether in voluntary or regulated systems, actors who place products on the market without contributing to collection and recycling undermine:
- financial sustainability,
- fair competition,
- and trust in the system.
Several countries signalled that if this issue is not addressed, voluntary systems may need to evolve towards mandatory frameworks.
The conclusion is clear: no circular system can function without full market participation.
From national models to a European framework
Despite differences in governance and maturity, national systems are converging towards a common operational model:
- eco-contribution at the point of sale
free or incentivised return for farmers
collection organised through distributors and local networks
industry-led governance
and increasing emphasis on monitoring and traceability
This convergence opens the door to the development of a European NCRS blueprint, based on best practices from existing systems.
At the same time, participants stressed the need to strike the right balance between:
- harmonisation at EU level
and flexibility to build on existing national schemes
Policy momentum: the role of the Circular Economy Act
The meeting took place at a pivotal moment, as the European Commission prepares the upcoming Circular Economy Act (CEA).
For the agricultural plastics sector, this represents both an opportunity and a risk.
On the one hand, the CEA can:
- support the roll-out of NCRS across Europe
strengthen monitoring and data transparency
and help create a true single market for secondary raw materials
On the other hand, there is a clear warning: policy must remain grounded in operational reality.
Targets, whether on recycling, reuse or recycled content, must be:
- credible
- implementable
- and aligned with existing infrastructure and market conditions
The missing link: recycling capacity and markets
The main challenge is no longer collection, but the viability of recycling itself.
Europe is currently facing:
- a sharp decline in recycling capacity
weak demand for recycled plastics
increasing competition from imported recyclates
and rising operational costs
In some cases, collected materials are stored for extended periods due to lack of viable recycling outlets.
This creates a critical imbalance: we risk building efficient collection systems without ensuring that materials can be sustainably recycled.
The implication is clear: NCRS must be supported by:
- investment in recycling capacity
and strong demand-side measures for recyclates
A collective responsibility across the value chain
One of the strongest messages from the meeting was the need for collective action.
Circularity cannot be delivered by a single actor. It requires alignment across the entire value chain:
- Producers: financing systems and designing recyclable products
- Distributors: organising collection infrastructure
- Farmers: ensuring proper sorting and return of materials
- Recyclers: transforming waste into valuable resources
- Policymakers: creating a stable and enabling framework
As highlighted during the discussions: agricultural plastics are essential materials for food production, resource efficiency and climate resilience. But their essentiality comes with responsibility.
Looking ahead: from alignment to implementation
The European NCRS Meeting confirmed that the sector is no longer at the stage of identifying problems. The challenge now is speed and scale of implementation.
Key priorities moving forward include:
- expanding NCRS to new Member States
- addressing free-riders through enforceable frameworks
- strengthening monitoring and data systems
- supporting recycling capacity and end-markets
- ensuring policy coherence at EU level
