In a previous article, we examined how the use of pesticides, fertilisers and wastewater irrigation for agriculture results in soil pollution. In today’s article, we will focus on the use of plastic in agriculture and its impacts on our environment.

In 2019, the European Union alone used over 300,000 tonnes of plastic in Crop production (FAO, n.d.). This represents a significant source of soil pollution and secondary pollution when the plastic is eventually disposed of/burned.

One of the most common sources of plastic in Agriculture is Mulching films. In 2011, it was estimated that over 20 million hectares of farmland in China is covered with plastic film (FAO, n.d.). Mulch Films are plastic sheets used to cover the soil to prevent contamination of the crops and to protect the soil from atmospheric agents, drying and temperature fluctuations (Sotrafa, 2021). Using mulch is found to increase crop yields by 30% since it protects seedlings by limiting evaporation, reducing weed and pest pressures (BBC, n.d.).

Figure 1: Mulch Film covering soil (Sotrafa, 2021)

Another major group of plastics used in Agriculture is Greenhouse Film and Protective Netting. In many countries, greenhouses are used to regulate temperature and precipitation to ensure the continuous growth of crops throughout the year. However, in many developing countries, plastic films and nettings are used as insulators instead of glass due to their comparatively lower cost (FAO, n.d.). These plastic films and nettings will degrade after multiple harvests, requiring more plastic for replacement.

Figure 2: Plastic Greenhouse
Source: https://www.thedailygardener.com/best-greenhouse-plastic

In addition, Agriculture produces numerous other plastic waste such as seedling trays, pesticides containers, irrigation tubing and seed packing. 

The plastic used in farms are contaminated with soil, pesticides and fertilisers making it extremely costly and inefficient to recycle, leaving only burning and burial as the main form of disposal (BBC, n.d.). Most plastics are also non-biodegradable and will over time break down into smaller particles, microplastics. The microplastics can then be ingested by organisms and be passed up the food chain (FAO, n.d.). Furthermore, plastic pollution negatively affects plant growth by altering the activity of soil microorganisms, soil structure and root development (FAO, n.d.).

Today’s article has covered how maximising agriculture yield can produce large quantities of plastic pollution and waste. Do you think we should sacrifice some crop yield to reduce plastic pollution?  Thank you for reading this week’s post. Hope you have a great week ahead.

References

BBC (n.d.). Why food’s plastic problem is bigger than we realise. Retrieved on March 09, 2022 from https://www.bbc.com/future/bespoke/follow-the-food/why-foods-plastic-problem-is-bigger-than-we-realise.html

FAO. (n.d.). Chapter 3: Sources of Soil Pollution. Retrieved on March 09, 2022 from https://www.fao.org/3/cb4894en/online/src/html/chapter-03-3.html

Sotrafa. (2021). What is a mulch film?. Retrieved on March 09, 2022 from https://sotrafa.com/en/what-is-mulching-film/#:~:text=Mulching%20is%20an%20agricultural%20technique,is%20necessary%20for%20vegetative%20development.

Featured Image from https://www.bbc.com/future/bespoke/follow-the-food/why-foods-plastic-problem-is-bigger-than-we-realise.html