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Journal article
End-of-Life Management Options for Agricultural Mulch Films in the United States-A Review
Frontiers in sustainable food systems, Vol.6, p.921496
07/08/2022
Abstract
Polyethylene plastic mulches are widely used in specialty cropping systems in the United States due to the horticultural benefits they provide. However, polyethylene mulch is reapplied seasonally, generating large volumes of plastic waste that contribute to plastic pollution concerns. This review synthesizes scientific and industry findings to provide a state of current end-of-life options of polyethylene mulch in the United States and identifies opportunities that can improve plastic waste management with a special emphasis on soil-biodegradable plastic mulches. Major points discussed are: (1) polyethylene mulch use in specialty cropping systems, (2) economic, environmental and waste management impacts of polyethylene mulch use, (3) current common end-of-life pathways of used polyethylene mulch, (4) use of soil-biodegradable plastic mulch as an alternative to reduce the amount of plastic waste in the environment and offset the negative impacts associated with residual non-degradable plastics, (5) socioeconomic factors that reduce the adoption of soil-biodegradable plastic mulch, and (6) limitations of soil-biodegradable mulch. The results of this review conclude that recycling and upcycling of used polyethylene mulch can be a more sustainable disposal option, however cleaning and decontaminating used polyethylene mulch is costly and commercial technology is often not accessible nor economically viable in many regions in the current economic and political situation. To make recycling a viable pathway in the future, research and policy developments are necessary to refine and encourage recycling. Soil-biodegradable plastic mulches can offer an additional opportunity to help address these limitations, but they are not permitted in organic agriculture in the United States. Further studies are necessary to address the current knowledge gaps and gain a better understanding of the factors influencing the degradation of soil-biodegradable mulches under diverse field conditions. Improved end-of-life strategies should continue to be pursued that balance sustainable use of plastic mulch while minimizing environmental risks.
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Details
- Title
- End-of-Life Management Options for Agricultural Mulch Films in the United States-A Review
- Creators
- Brenda Madrid - Washington State UniversitySam Wortman - University of Nebraska–LincolnDouglas G. Hayes - University of Tennessee at KnoxvilleJennifer M. DeBruyn - University of Tennessee at KnoxvilleCarol Miles - Washington State UniversityMarkus Flury - Washington State UniversityThomas L. Marsh - Washington State UniversitySuzette P. Galinato - Washington State UniversityKarl Englund - Washington State UniversityShinsuke Agehara - University of FloridaLisa Wasko DeVetter - Washington State University
- Publication Details
- Frontiers in sustainable food systems, Vol.6, p.921496
- Academic Unit
- College of Agricultural, Human, and Natural Resource Sciences
- Publisher
- Frontiers Media Sa
- Number of pages
- 11
- Grant note
- K2525 / Washington State Department of Agriculture Specialty Crop Block Grant program 2019-51181-30012 / United States Department of Agriculture National Institute of Food and Agriculture (USDA NIFA); United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) 1014919; 1017286; 1014527 / USDA NIFA; United States Department of Agriculture (USDA)
- Identifiers
- 99901180185601842
- Language
- English
- Resource Type
- Journal article