There are clear environmental benefits from using plastics in agriculture, for example to extend local growing seasons and protect hay/silage etc. from becoming unusable. However most of these plastics are single use and can persist in the environment long after their intended use. Agricultural plastic waste accounts for approximately 1.5% of overall volume of plastic waste in the UK with a recycling rate about 25%. Globally, 12.5 million tonnes of plastic is used in plant and animal production. The harmful impact of fugitive plastics entering the environment from agricultural sources is becoming clear throughout multiple ecosystems.
These plastics also affect the health of the land, water and air by entering the natural world: windblown, burnt, buried, spread, fly tipping and ploughed in.
What interventions would be preferred by the sector? Some options are:
Eunomia was commissioned by the European Commission to carry out a study to identify the environmental impacts associated with conventional and biodegradable agricultural plastics and make recommendations of measures to be implemented to reduce these impacts.
APE Europe is the non-packaging plastics products’ association for agriculture. APE is acting for a sustainable, profitable production, and a reliable agri-plastics’ end of life management. Their priority is to provide farmers and growers with sustainable solutions for their production and the end of life management of agri-plastics.
Cleanfarms is a non-profit environmental stewardship organisation. They work collaboratively with members, partner agencies, and the government to ensure that Canadian farmers can actively contribute to a healthy environment and a sustainable future.
Dairy Australia is developing a national collection and recycling scheme for silage plastic with support from the Commonwealth Government’s National Product Stewardship Investment Fund.
Specific sessions on agricultural plastics have been held at the first two GRIPS conferences and the 2022 session is here. There will be an Agricultural session included in GRIPS 2023 and we have yet to finalise the agenda. If you would like to showcase any work you are undertaking in the area of reducing plastic waste from farms then please get in touch.
There will be an Agricultural session included in GRIPS 2023 and we have yet to finalise the agenda. If you would like to showcase any work you are undertaking in the area of reducing plastic waste from farms then please get in touch.