The EIA Sub-Working Group Plastics in Irrigation held a meeting with APE

The purpose of this meeting is to agree on the possibilities of cooperation between our two organisation.

Date: 15/11/2022

Participants:

APE: Xavier Ferry

EIA: Bomy Jean Sebastian, Francesco Monteduro, Ido Raanan

Topics (EIA’s agenda) :

• APE activities review
• EIA goals of educate and increase awareness for responsible irrigation use
• Reviewing solutions for end-of-life for irrigation systems components
• Plastic regulation status
• Ways of communication

APE Review:

• Promote integrated management of plastics in agriculture (National Collection Schemes)
  • Collection of plastic
  • R&D and training platform
• Active members in the CPA (Circular Plastic Alliance) to influence standardization and regulation
• Promote a special standard for design and use for recycling
  • Would like to get EIA’s input regarding integrated plastic-electronic components in the irrigation systems
  • Would like to get EIA’s input regarding relevant standards that are in use for driplines production

EIA comments:

• There are differences between countries; hence, no recommended collection scheme.
• All of the irrigation system components need to have end-of-life solutions.

Suggested cooperation and action items:

1. Publish Mutual articles in each other’s magazines to increase irrigation system awareness, and promote best practices of plastics end-of-life.
2. Define a list of irrigation plastic components that need end-of-life solutions.
3. Mutual ongoing updates about ecosystem trends (plastic regulation and standards)
4. Ad-hoc meetings