From plasticulture to pollution: addressing disposal and recycling challenges in egyptian farming systems

The global use of agricultural plastic film has severely impacted the ecosphere due to their non-biodegradability, unsafe disposal and limited recyclability. This study aimed to investigate how farmers use agricultural plastic film, including plastic mulch and plastic covers and manage their disposal. The study was conducted in three governorates of Egypt: Dakhalia, Giza and Minya. Data were collected through stratified proportional random sampling based on farm size, surveying 300 farmers managing four plasticulture systems: plastic mulch in open fields, net houses, low tunnels and high tunnels. The data were collected through face-to-face interviews using a structured questionnaire. The study findings reveal that plastic mulch residuals are often burnt in the open or plowed back into soil matrix, whereas plastic film covers are typically collected for recycling. Also, farmers identified the lack of recycling facilities and the absence of fixed disposal locations as the main obstacles for proper plastic waste management. The regression analysis findings also showed the main factors positively affecting the plastic mulch recycling behavior of farmers, including farm size, farm ownership, family member participation in agriculture, and years of experience with plasticulture systems. The findings provide valuable insights for policymakers to develop collaborative management strategies for plastic disposal and recycling, aiming to reduce the environmental risks of microplastics in terrestrial ecosystems.