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The Use and Recycling of Agricultural Plastic Mulch in China: A Review

Author

Listed:
  • Hongguang Yang

    (Nanjing Institute of Agricultural Mechanization, Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Affairs, Nanjing 210014, China)

  • Zhichao Hu

    (Nanjing Institute of Agricultural Mechanization, Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Affairs, Nanjing 210014, China
    Graduate School of Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Beijing 100081, China)

  • Feng Wu

    (Nanjing Institute of Agricultural Mechanization, Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Affairs, Nanjing 210014, China
    Graduate School of Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Beijing 100081, China)

  • Kai Guo

    (Nanjing Institute of Agricultural Mechanization, Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Affairs, Nanjing 210014, China
    Graduate School of Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Beijing 100081, China)

  • Fengwei Gu

    (Graduate School of Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Beijing 100081, China)

  • Mingzhu Cao

    (Nanjing Institute of Agricultural Mechanization, Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Affairs, Nanjing 210014, China)

Abstract

The use of plastic film for mulching cultivation is an important agricultural production technology, which plays an important role in achieving agricultural yield increase and farmers’ income increase. China’s use of plastic mulch ranks first in the world, and China is also the country with the most severe residual plastic mulch pollution in farmland. It is of great significance to have a comprehensive understanding of the use and resource recycling of plastic mulch in China. As a result, this article reviews the recent advances in the use and recycling of plastic mulch in China. First, the types and characteristics of commonly used agricultural plastic mulch are introduced. Then, the development process and application situation of plastic mulch in China are mainly summarized, and the problems of farmland soil and environmental pollution caused by residual plastic mulch are discussed. Finally, the current situation, main practices, and existing problems of waste plastic mulch recycling in China’s farmland are explained in detail from the perspectives of government policy formulation and farmer practice. The research in this article will play an important role in further solving the problem of plastic mulch pollution in farmland soil in China and can also provide a reference for other countries.

Suggested Citation

  • Hongguang Yang & Zhichao Hu & Feng Wu & Kai Guo & Fengwei Gu & Mingzhu Cao, 2023. "The Use and Recycling of Agricultural Plastic Mulch in China: A Review," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 15(20), pages 1-24, October.
    • Handle: RePEc:gam:jsusta:v:15:y:2023:i:20:p:15096-:d:1263960
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    References listed on IDEAS

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