“The Challenge of Plastic Waste in Rural Areas: The Case of Silo Bags (Grain Bags)”.

Collab: Lucía Romero (B.Env.M) Environmental Management graduate, founder of ""lr.gestionambiental", and passionate about sustainability.

Argentina is a country where agricultural and livestock activities play a central role in both the economy and territorial development. This sector, highly diverse in its productive structure, generates a wide variety of waste materials with differing compositions. However, in many cases, these wastes lack proper management systems, leading to significant environmental impacts.

Among the main concerns are soil degradation, contamination of both surface and groundwater sources, and health risks for those working in rural areas. These issues are directly related to the lack of information, infrastructure, and differentiated waste collection systems that effectively reach remote farming regions.

One of the most problematic types of waste in today’s agricultural landscape is the silo bag—a key tool for grain storage. Made from low-density polyethylene (LDPE), these structures can be up to 100 meters long and store more than 300 tons of corn. While their use has revolutionized logistics in the sector, their final disposal presents a serious environmental challenge. Most discarded silo bags are abandoned in open fields or burned—practices that, though common, release pollutants that degrade air, soil, and water quality. This pollution, though often invisible, has persistent and cumulative effects on ecosystems.

It is estimated that around 7,000 tons of silo bags are discarded in Argentina each month. The very durability that makes them effective also prevents natural degradation, turning them into a critical source of plastic pollution.

In response to this situation, circular economy initiatives are emerging within the agricultural sector. Companies like Siclo Rural, in collaboration with rural families, promote the collection and recycling of used silo bags. The recycled material is then transformed into new products such as footwear, textiles, or electrical insulators, thanks to the work of companies like Leaf Social.

Nevertheless, the challenge remains immense. Many rural areas still lack access to clean-up points, basic infrastructure, or knowledge about recycling practices. Therefore, it is essential to strengthen environmental education in rural communities, implement comprehensive waste management systems, and expand access to recovery and recycling networks.

Transforming the fate of silo bags is not just about preventing their burning or abandonment: it’s about rethinking the role of plastics in agriculture and recognizing that, when properly managed, waste can be reintegrated into the productive cycle as valuable resources. Collaboration between producers, local governments, and businesses is key to advancing toward a more sustainable, conscious, and environmentally respectful agricultural model #AgroForABetterWorld