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The use, fate and environmental impacts of plastic films in agriculture
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The plastic films farmers use to boost crop yields and save water are breaking down into tiny plastic particles (microplastics) that build up in soil—sometimes making up nearly a third of all plastic bits found there. This review of existing research shows even "biodegradable" plastic films don't fully break down as promised, raising concerns about how these plastic fragments and their chemical additives might work their way into our food and, ultimately, our bodies. While scientists are still studying the direct health effects, the findings suggest we should pay attention to safer alternatives and better plastic recycling in farming.
Plastic agricultural films (PAFs) are widely used to enhance crop productivity, with global use projected to reach 9–14 million tonnes (Mt) per year by 2030. However, their use has led to contamination of soils with microplastics (MPs), nanoplastics and associated chemical additives. In this Review, we synthesize evidence on the global use of PAFs, their environmental fate and strategies to enhance their sustainable application. PAFs deliver substantial agronomic benefits, enhancing crop yields by 7–48% and soil water retention by 9–25%. However, films fragment and degrade under physical erosion, elevated ultraviolet radiation, temperature, humidity, and microbial and faunal activity. As a result, PAF use generates 3–5 Mt yr−1 of largely unmanaged waste, contributing to widespread plastic pollution in agricultural soils. For example, MP concentrations can reach ~13,000 items per kilogram, with PAFs accounting for 10–30%. Conventional polyethylene films degrade slowly and primarily undergo physical fragmentation, whereas biodegradable films fragment more rapidly, with cases of ~30% converted to MPs within 2 years. However, complete mineralization remains limited even for biodegradable materials. Additives in PAFs, including poorly characterized non-intentionally added substances, further increase environmental and toxicological risks, and their release varies substantially with environmental conditions and film type. MPs and additives affect soil health, crop yields and nutrient cycles. Mitigation strategies include substitution with safer additives, developing biodegradable waste-derived bio-based polymers, and conventional film recycling. Future work should improve field monitoring, develop a global database of PAF use and composition, and implement policy innovations to support sustainable PAF systems. Plastic agricultural films enhance crop productivity and support food security, but their use also contaminates soils with plastics and chemical additives. This Review examines the global production and use of agricultural films, their environmental impacts, and strategies to support their sustainable production and use.
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[Application and Environmental Risks of Biodegradable Films].
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Biodegradable plastic films are being used more often in farming to replace regular plastic and cut down on pollution, and they even help crops grow better by improving soil conditions. But as these films break down, they can release tiny plastic particles and chemical additives into the soil, which may harm soil organisms and crops—and could potentially make their way into our food supply. This review pulls together existing research on the topic and calls for more studies to better understand and manage these risks before biodegradable films become widespread.
Plastic Mulch Films in Agriculture: Their Use, Environmental Problems, Recycling and Alternatives
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This review examines how plastic mulch films used in farming break down into microplastics and nanoplastics that contaminate soil, harm soil organisms, and can enter the human body through the food chain. While developed countries are making progress with recycling and biodegradable alternatives, the health effects of nanoplastics from agricultural plastic remain largely unknown. Better collection, recycling, and alternative materials are needed to reduce this growing source of plastic pollution.
Environmental health implications of plastic use in agriculture
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This review discusses the environmental health implications of plastic use in agriculture, including soil microplastic accumulation from mulch films, microplastic uptake by crops, and potential entry into the food chain. The authors recommend shifting toward biodegradable alternatives and tightening regulations on agricultural plastic disposal.
Macro and microplastics in agricultural soils after use of conventional and biodegradable plastics
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Researchers sampled 38 agricultural fields where different plastic products had been used — conventional polyethylene mulching films, polypropylene weed fabrics, biodegradable PBAT mulching films, frost covers, and oxo-degradable films — analyzing both macro and microplastics in soil at varying size fractions. They found plastic particles from all film types present in soils, with biodegradable and oxo-degradable films producing detectable microplastics, raising concerns about all agricultural plastic categories.
Environmental fate and effects of mulch films on agricultural soil: A systematic review from application to residual impact
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This systematic review traces the full lifecycle of plastic mulch films used in farming, from application to breakdown in soil. While these films boost crop yields, they leave behind persistent residues that fragment into microplastics, potentially contaminating soil and groundwater. The review highlights the need for biodegradable alternatives to reduce long-term microplastic accumulation in agricultural land.
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