11 CSS covering Europe and its 6 main biogeographical regions have been preselected and will be implemented in the project. A CSS consists of one biogeographical region in one country. Relevant actors from the local, regional, and national levels of each CSS (farmers, farmers groups, farming advisors, suppliers incl. plastic manufacturers, scientists, local and regional authorities, national policymakers, etc.) will be invited to connect with the project.

At each CSS, at least 10 farmers and farms, some of which with long-term plastic practices, will be involved in the project, providing their expertise and experience through interviews and opening access to their fields for sampling and validation experiments. Collaboration with them will be coordinated by CSS leaders. Description of main characteristics of CSS

CSS No. Biogeo. Region Country & Partner Main crops Plastic use and type Compost/Sludge application Vet. Drugs/ Pesticides
1 Alpine(1) SI (UL) Cereals, vegetables, potatoes Plastic mulch
(LDPE and biodegrabable)
Organic fertilizers and compost Pesticides
2 Atlantic NL (WU) Cereals (corns), vegetables Plastic mulch (LDPE) Compost Pesticides
3 Atlantic UK (UoG) Vegetables (carrots) Plastic mulch
(LDPE and biodegradable)
Compost --
4 Boreal EE (EMU) Cereals Plastic mulch (LDPE),
Tyre wear
Compost --
5 Continental CH (UBERN) Orchards, cereals Plastic mulch (LDPE),
Tyre wear, silage balls
Compost Drugs found in water & pesticides
6 Pannonian Continental AT (FiBL-AT) Vegetables, cereals and potatoes Plastic mulch Compost --
7(a) Humid subtropical IT (UCSC) a) Vegetables and cereals (biogas maize) Drip irrigation tubes,
plastic mulch (PVC, biodegradable & photodegradable)
Compost (biowaste, farmyard,
energy crops digestate and sewage sludge)
Pesticides
7(b) Temperate subcontinental IT (NVM) b) Vegetables
8 Mediterranean GR (CHQ) Vegetables, olive trees, grapes Greenhouse cover,
mulch, tyre wire
Compost Pesticides
9 Pannonian AT (AGES-AT) Cereals, rape, vegetables Plastic mulch
(LDPE and biodegradable)
Compost --
10 Semiarid ES (CAMPO) Vegetables Plastic mulch -- --
11 Continental(2) FR (EQY) Vines Stakes and strings -- Pesticides

(1)Alpine (North, West), continental (central part), sub-Pannonian (South, East);

(2)Mediterranean and Oceanic influences.

MINAGRIS map CSS