Is Biodegradable Plastic Mulch the Solution to Agriculture’s Plastic Problem?

Abstract

T he global use of agricultural plastic films, which includes films used for greenhouses, mulching, and silage, is expected to grow 69% from 4.4 million tons in 2012 to 7.4 million tons in 2019. 1 The global market for agricultural plastic films is expected to grow at a compound annual growth rate of 7.6% from 2013 to 2019, reaching a market of 9.66 billion USD, with China and the Middle East driving future demand. 1 In 2012, plastic mulch films accounted for over 40% of the total plastic films used in agriculture. 1 Plastic mulch films provide multiple benefits for crop production.They help to control weeds and insects, increase soil and air temperature, reduce evaporation, minimize soil erosion, and prevent soil splashing on fruits or vegetables (Figure 1).These benefits translate into reduced pesticide use, early planting in spring, water conservation, and increased crop yield and quality.2,3 Given the world's projected population growth and need for more food, the use of plastic mulch film in agriculture has great potential to increase food production and security.Plastic mulch films consist mostly of low-density and linear low-density polyethylene, which do not readily biodegrade.As a result, these polyethylene-based mulches must be retrieved and disposed after usage.Agricultural plastic mulch films are often contaminated with soil, and therefore are not accepted by many recycling facilities.This limits disposal options for polyethylene mulches, which often have to be landfilled.Costs of landfilling are high, 2 causing many producers to amass mulches or even