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Environmental Sustainability of Plastic in Agriculture

Author

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  • Chrysanthos Maraveas

    (Department of Civil Engineering, University of Patras, 26500 Patra, Greece)

Abstract

This article investigates the environmental sustainability of plastic nets in agricultural environments based on published experimental data. This article focuses on biodegradable and synthetic plastics used in farms as mulching materials and shade materials/greenhouse covering materials (shade nets and plastic films) to protect plants from pests and extreme weather. The sustainability was determined by three factors, carbon footprint from cradle to the end of life (LCA), durability (resistance to photo-oxidation and high tensile strength), and affordability. The LCA analyses showed that the production of polyethylene (PE) requires less energy and generates low quantities of greenhouse gas equivalents. Beyond the LCA data, biodegradable polymers are sustainable based on biodegradability and compostability, ability to suppress weeds, control soil temperatures, and moisture, and augment fertigation and drip irrigation. However, existing technologies are a limiting factor because lab-based innovations have not been commercialized. In addition, industrial production of shade nets, plastic greenhouse covers, and mulching materials are limited to synthetic plastics. The bio-based plastic materials are sustainable based on biodegradability, and resistant to photo-oxidation. The resistance to UV degradation is an essential property because solar radiation cleaves C-C bonds, which in turn impact the mechanical strength of the materials. In brief, the sustainability of plastics in farms is influenced by LCA data, mechanical and optical properties, and performance relative to other materials.

Suggested Citation

  • Chrysanthos Maraveas, 2020. "Environmental Sustainability of Plastic in Agriculture," Agriculture, MDPI, vol. 10(8), pages 1-15, July.
    • Handle: RePEc:gam:jagris:v:10:y:2020:i:8:p:310-:d:388907
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    References listed on IDEAS

    as
    1. Jiajia Zheng & Sangwon Suh, 2019. "Strategies to reduce the global carbon footprint of plastics," Nature Climate Change, Nature, vol. 9(5), pages 374-378, May.
    2. Jiajia Zheng & Sangwon Suh, 2019. "Publisher Correction: Strategies to reduce the global carbon footprint of plastics," Nature Climate Change, Nature, vol. 9(7), pages 567-567, July.
    3. Chrysanthos Maraveas, 2019. "Environmental Sustainability of Greenhouse Covering Materials," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 11(21), pages 1-24, November.
    4. Luigi Roselli & Arturo Casieri & Bernardo Corrado de Gennaro & Ruggiero Sardaro & Giovanni Russo, 2020. "Environmental and Economic Sustainability of Table Grape Production in Italy," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 12(9), pages 1-24, May.
    5. Chrysanthos Maraveas, 2020. "The Sustainability of Plastic Nets in Agriculture," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 12(9), pages 1-24, April.
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    Cited by:

    1. Tan, Quanyin & Yang, Liyao & Wei, Fan & Chen, Yuan & Li, Jinhui, 2023. "Comparative life cycle assessment of polyethylene agricultural mulching film and alternative options including different end-of-life routes," Renewable and Sustainable Energy Reviews, Elsevier, vol. 178(C).

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