Articles
Soil-biodegradable plastic mulch to reduce plastic pollution
Article number
1465_31
Pages
197 – 204
Language
English
Abstract
Agriculture relies on polyethylene (PE) mulch for crop production; however, there are major concerns regarding plastic waste and pollution, and an urgent need to reduce the ecological footprint of agriculture.
Soil-biodegradable mulches (BDM) can provide a solution if they are truly and completely biodegradable.
Without required testing and labeling for soil-biodegradability, agricultural professionals need reliable information to assess BDM products before deploying them.
There are four biodegradable polymers commonly used in BDM, and they may be synthetic or biobased (derived from living organisms or their byproducts): polybutylene adipate terephthalate (PBAT), polybutylene succinate (PBS), polylactic acid (PLA), and polyhydroxyalkanoate (PHA). There is a misconception that the biodegradability (ability to break down into carbon dioxide, methane, and microbial biomass within a natural environment) of a polymer increases with its biobased content.
PLA is biobased and while it is highly biodegradable under industrial composting conditions, it has limited biodegradability in soil.
PBAT is mainly fossil fuel-derived but can be partially biobased depending on the manufacturer, and is highly biodegradable in soil.
Polypropylene (PP) and polyethylene (PE) are mainly synthetic, but can be biobased, however, they are not biodegradable.
Oxo- and photo-degradable plastics are not biodegradable, their use contributes to plastic pollution, and they have been banned from single use in Europe.
Biodegradation rates of BDM differ based on the molecular-level properties of their polymeric components and the environmental factors where they are deployed.
The biodegradation rate and environmental impacts of BDM are assessed through standards such as EN-17033, ISO-23517, and ASTM-D6400. To ensure BDM is not contributing to plastic pollution, there is a need for policies requiring testing plastic biodegradability under soil conditions, research to increase the performance and affordability of biobased materials to align with evolving plastic regulations, and reliable information available to growers and agricultural professionals to support sustainable agricultural practices.
Soil-biodegradable mulches (BDM) can provide a solution if they are truly and completely biodegradable.
Without required testing and labeling for soil-biodegradability, agricultural professionals need reliable information to assess BDM products before deploying them.
There are four biodegradable polymers commonly used in BDM, and they may be synthetic or biobased (derived from living organisms or their byproducts): polybutylene adipate terephthalate (PBAT), polybutylene succinate (PBS), polylactic acid (PLA), and polyhydroxyalkanoate (PHA). There is a misconception that the biodegradability (ability to break down into carbon dioxide, methane, and microbial biomass within a natural environment) of a polymer increases with its biobased content.
PLA is biobased and while it is highly biodegradable under industrial composting conditions, it has limited biodegradability in soil.
PBAT is mainly fossil fuel-derived but can be partially biobased depending on the manufacturer, and is highly biodegradable in soil.
Polypropylene (PP) and polyethylene (PE) are mainly synthetic, but can be biobased, however, they are not biodegradable.
Oxo- and photo-degradable plastics are not biodegradable, their use contributes to plastic pollution, and they have been banned from single use in Europe.
Biodegradation rates of BDM differ based on the molecular-level properties of their polymeric components and the environmental factors where they are deployed.
The biodegradation rate and environmental impacts of BDM are assessed through standards such as EN-17033, ISO-23517, and ASTM-D6400. To ensure BDM is not contributing to plastic pollution, there is a need for policies requiring testing plastic biodegradability under soil conditions, research to increase the performance and affordability of biobased materials to align with evolving plastic regulations, and reliable information available to growers and agricultural professionals to support sustainable agricultural practices.
Publication
Authors
C. Miles, D. Hayes, K. Sarpong, N. Shcherbatyuk, L.W. DeVetter
Keywords
BDM, plasticulture, soil biodegradability, biobased, environmental impact, ecological footprint
Groups involved
- Division Vine and Berry Fruits
- Working Group Strawberry Culture and Management
- Division Sustaining Horticulture in a Changing World
- Division Horticulture for Human Health
- Division Plant Genetic Resources, Breeding and Biotechnology
- Division Greenhouse and Indoor Production Horticulture
- Division Precision Horticulture and Engineering
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