At the edge of the Begeč area towards Gložan, farmer Nebojša Ninkov, whose family has been engaged in agriculture for generations, grows carrots. He explains that, due to increasingly frequent droughts each year, more irrigation is required. For this reason, Ninkov uses plastic drip irrigation tubes, which allow more efficient water use in agriculture and result in higher yields.

However, these tubes become difficult-to-dispose-of plastic waste after only one season. Because of slow degradation and the lack of recycling infrastructure in Serbia, they are often burned or end up in illegal dumpsites. It is estimated that up to 600 tonnes of such waste are generated annually, leading to soil, water, and air pollution, and posing a significant environmental challenge.

To address this problem in a sustainable and environmentally safe way, RKS Composites, a company from Čelarevo that processes more than 20 tonnes of plastic daily, has developed a system for collecting and recycling waste drip irrigation systems. With support from the European Union, the company has acquired new equipment for shredding and processing agricultural plastics. This will enable them to recycle between 1 and 2 tonnes of this waste per hour, as well as produce new items such as oil and grease separators for wastewater protection.

“We process different types of plastic waste, including that generated in agriculture. We convert all this waste into granulate used to manufacture new products. In this way, the company, the local community, and above all the environment benefit”, says Vladimir Knežević from ‘RKS Composites’.

Growing recognition of the importance of proper waste management is confirmed by Nebojša Ninkov as well.

“Now, when the season ends, we collect the irrigation tubes and take them for recycling, whereas in the past we would take them to the landfill. This way, we protect nature and prevent pollution of our fields,” he explains.

The recycling process that RKS Composites is introducing is aligned with European Union standards, where drip irrigation systems are collected and treated in an organised manner instead of being disposed of in landfills. Practices like this demonstrate how applying circular economy principles, combined with cooperation between farmers and recyclers, can contribute to a cleaner and healthier environment.

Learn more about the process in the video below: