Agricultural plastics are plastic materials used to perform agronomic functions within agricultural production systems (plant and animal production).
These include, amongst others:
• plastic films (mulch films, silage films, greenhouse, crop covers, etc.),
• nets and twines,
• irrigation pipes,
• and other plastic products directly used in agricultural operations.
Such materials are specifically designed to withstand environmental exposure (including UV radiation, humidity, and mechanical stress) and are functionally integrated into the agricultural production process.
Agricultural plastics constitute technical inputs used in the production phase and are therefore to be distinguished from products intended for the distribution, storage or presentation of goods (packaging).
Their functions include:
• protection of crops against climatic and biological pressures,
• optimisation of water use,
• facilitation of agricultural practices,
• support of biological processes (e.g. anaerobic fermentation in silage).
As such, they contribute to the objectives of resource efficiency, climate adaptation and food security. Agricultural plastics used in production are not used for the containment or distribution of goods placed on the market but
are instead directly applied within the production process for agronomic purposes.
This distinction is further supported by:
• their specific use phase (in-field application rather than supply chain use),
• their exposure to environmental conditions (soil contact, weathering),
• their end-of-life characteristics (high levels of non-hazardous physical contamination, dispersed generation, seasonality).
It should be noted that agricultural plastic waste is generally not, or only minimally, contaminated by chemical substances.
However, they may exhibit significant levels of non-hazardous physical contamination, including soil, organic matter and water, which can affect their handling, transport and treatment conditions without altering their non-hazardous
nature.
As a result, they require appropriate collection, treatment and recycling.
