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Agricultural Implications of Bioplastics and Their Additives
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This chapter reviews how bioplastics and their additives are used in agriculture for mulching films, greenhouse covers, and seed coatings, assessing their potential to reduce plastic waste while improving crop outcomes. It also examines risks from incomplete degradation and the behaviour of bioplastic additives in soil.
This chapter explores the agricultural applications of bioplastics and their additives, addressing their potential to enhance crop productivity, reduce plastic waste, and support sustainable farming. Bioplastics, derived from renewable sources like starch, cellulose, and microbial byproducts, offer innovative solutions for mulching films, greenhouse covers, and seed coatings. These materials protect crops by regulating soil moisture, suppressing weeds, and fostering soil health as they biodegrade into organic matter. However, challenges persist in the form of inconsistent degradation under varying environmental conditions and the potential for chemical additives to leave toxic residues or contribute to microplastic formation. The chapter highlights the critical role of additives, with distinctions between natural and chemical types, influencing both performance and biodegradability. The complexities of balancing material performance and environmental sustainability remain unresolved, with concerns over additive toxicity and incomplete degradation leading to long-term environmental risks. The study underscores the importance of life-cycle assessments (LCAs) to evaluate the full environmental impact of bioplastics, from production to disposal. The chapter concludes with recommendations for advancing biodegradable additives, improving composting infrastructure, and implementing economic incentives to encourage the broader adoption of bioplastics in agriculture, aligning with circular economy principles to foster sustainability.
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