10 he crops in the fields sometimes require a little help and protection, so it is not uncommon for the vege- tables to be covered in plastic – horticulture film. Not only does the plastic protect the crops from harmful insects, it helps the crops to grow faster in the sun. Relatively large amounts of horticulture film are used in the area, and previously the used film has posed a waste disposal problem. Today, horticulture film is being recycled, instead of being burned or thrown away, in a closed cycle called TrioSmart. Innovative and sustainable TheusedplasticfilmisreturnedtoTrioplast,whereitisrecycled beforebeingusedagainintheFrenchvegetablefields.Behindthe innovative system is Trioplast, the University of Nantes and the local farmers. One of the local vegetable producers is the family company,Bouyer,locatedinLaChapelle-Basse-mernearNantes.     “I have been running the business with my brother, Bertrand Bouyer, for 10 years. We mainly grow mache lettuce, squash, leeks, carrots and lily of the valley,” says Louis Bouyer.   When Louis and his brother took over the farm in 2006, they had about 25 hectares – now they have 100. The family business has grown and today their customers include many French and foreign food companies. Reduced environmental impact “What matters to me most about the TrioSmart project is the environmental aspect. Recycling the plastic we use on the fields will reduce our environmental impact. It’s important that we leave a good place to live for future generations,” says Louis Bouyer. He is pleased with the Trioplast collaboration.   “Trioplast has successfully ensured that the recycled plastic film has the same good qualities as virgin film,” he says, and Carrots, onions, fennel, bell peppers and tomatoes are just some of the many delicious vegetables grown around Nantes in France. The fields of colourful crops stretch for miles. explains how important Trioplast’s close cooperation with the farmers has been for the project.   “Trioplast is interested in the activities we conduct. They know our business and know the necessary requirements for good horticulture film. This, together with the environmental aspect, is the key to the great success,” he says. T CROPS GERMINATE, GROW AND FLOURISH UNDER RECYCLABLE HORTICULTURE FILM