Papers

61,005 results
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Article Tier 2

Does Construction of High-Standard Farmland Improve Recycle Behavior of Agricultural Film? Evidence from Sichuan, China

Researchers found that farmers participating in high-standard farmland construction programs in Sichuan, China were 16% more likely to recycle agricultural plastic film, suggesting that rural infrastructure investment can improve plastic waste management behaviors.

2022 Agriculture 30 citations
Article Tier 2

Impact of Management Strategies on Reducing of Mulching Film Residues Pollution in Arid Regions

Researchers examined the impact of different management strategies — including increased polyethylene film recycling rates and adoption of biodegradable mulch films — on reducing mulching film residue pollution in arid agricultural regions. The study found that combining recycling incentives with biodegradable film adoption significantly reduced soil plastic accumulation, supporting sustainable agricultural development in water-limited dryland farming systems.

2024 Sustainability
Article Tier 2

Land Tenure, Loans, and Farmers’ Cropland Conservation Behavior: Evidence from Rural Northwest China

This is not directly about microplastics — it is an agricultural economics study examining how land tenure security influences farmers' conservation behavior in rural China, using plastic mulch film recycling as one example of a conservation practice, but not studying microplastic pollution itself.

2024 Land 3 citations
Article Tier 2

Can pro-environmental behavior increase farmers’ income?—Evidence from arable land quality protection practices in China

This study used survey data from 591 farmers in Xinjiang, China to assess whether pro-environmental farming behaviors increase income. Results showed that farmers adopting practices that reduced soil and water pollution generated higher yields and revenues over time. Pro-environmental agricultural practices that limit plastic mulch use and chemical inputs can improve both farm sustainability and farmer livelihoods.

2023 Economic Research-Ekonomska Istraživanja 1 citations
Article Tier 2

Domestic Garbage Classification and Incentive-Based Policies in China: An Empirical Analysis

This study examined domestic garbage classification practices and incentive-based policies in rural China, where increasing household waste poses environmental and health risks. The researchers analyzed whether reward-and-punishment policy frameworks can effectively encourage waste sorting and recycling behaviors among residents.

2023 Water 10 citations
Article Tier 2

Straw Return with Biodegradable Film Mulch: A Synergistic Cultivation Measure with Environmental and Economic Benefits Based on Life Cycle Assessment

Researchers used life cycle assessment to evaluate straw return combined with biodegradable plastic film mulch as a cultivation strategy for Chinese farmland, comparing environmental and economic outcomes against conventional practices. The combination reduced greenhouse gas emissions and improved soil health while remaining cost-competitive.

2024 Agronomy 1 citations
Article Tier 2

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

This review examines the widespread use of plastic mulch in Chinese agriculture, where adoption ranks first globally, along with the severe farmland pollution caused by residual plastic film. Researchers summarize the types of mulch used, the environmental damage from accumulation in soil, and current recycling practices. The study discusses government policies and farmer practices aimed at addressing plastic mulch pollution and offers reference points for other countries facing similar challenges.

2023 Sustainability 33 citations
Article Tier 2

Optimizing microplastic pollution in a terrestrial environment: a case for soil-biodegradable mulches

This paper develops an economic model to analyze when and why farmers would choose to adopt biodegradable plastic mulches over conventional polyethylene mulches, given that biodegradable options reduce long-term soil plastic accumulation but cost more upfront. The model finds that policies like higher landfill disposal fees and corrective taxes can tip the economic balance toward adoption of biodegradable alternatives. The study is notable as the first dynamic economic framework for addressing agricultural microplastic pollution, offering policymakers concrete tools to reduce plastic contamination of farmland soils.

2025 Agricultural and Resource Economics Review 1 citations
Article Tier 2

Effects of Different Mulch Types on Farmland Soil Moisture in an Artificial Oasis Area

Not relevant to microplastics — this study compares how different mulch materials (including conventional polyethylene plastic films) affect soil moisture retention in an arid farming region of China, focusing on water management rather than plastic fragmentation or microplastic contamination.

2023 Land 11 citations
Article Tier 2

Exploring Plastic-Management Policy in China: Status, Challenges and Policy Insights

Researchers reviewed China's plastic management policies and found that despite being the world's largest plastic producer, existing regulations remain insufficient, recommending strengthened extended producer responsibility and circular economy approaches to control plastic pollution.

2023 Sustainability 59 citations
Article Tier 2

Plastic mulching in agriculture. Trading short-term agronomic benefits for long-term soil degradation?

This study examined plastic mulch use in agriculture, arguing that short-term crop benefits come with long-term costs as mulch fragments accumulate in soil as microplastics and disrupt soil structure, biology, and water dynamics.

2016 The Science of The Total Environment 1452 citations
Article Tier 2

Sustainable Plasticulture in Chinese Agriculture: a Review of Challenges and Routes to Achieving Long-term Food and Ecosecurity

This review examines the challenges of plasticulture in Chinese agriculture, where macro-, micro-, and nanoplastic pollution from mulch films threatens long-term soil health and crop production. The authors propose holistic solutions targeting plastic production, use, and waste management to protect food security.

2023 Frontiers of Agricultural Science and Engineering 4 citations
Article Tier 2

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

Researchers surveyed 300 farmers across three Egyptian governorates to investigate how agricultural plastic film — including mulch and covers — is used and disposed of in Egyptian farming systems. The study identified widespread unsafe disposal practices and limited recyclability as major contributors to plastic pollution in agricultural landscapes.

2025 Frontiers of Agricultural Science and Engineering
Article Tier 2

Behavioral insights into reusable bag adoption: Evaluating the effectiveness of the theory of planned behavior in Lahore

Researchers investigated the behavioral determinants of reusable bag adoption over single-use plastic bags, using behavioral insights frameworks to evaluate the effectiveness of policy interventions and identify factors that drive sustained reuse rather than one-time uptake.

2024 Journal of Infrastructure Policy and Development
Article Tier 2

Individual and Village Level Factors Affect Farmers’ Satisfaction with Sustainable Rural Development Practices: Evidence from Guangdong Province in China

A survey of Chinese farmers examined how individual and village-level factors influence satisfaction with sustainable rural development programs. Factors such as income, community cohesion, and quality of local services significantly affected satisfaction levels. Understanding farmer perspectives is essential for designing rural policies that encourage sustainable land and waste management.

2022 Agriculture 4 citations
Article Tier 2

Household-Level Strategies to Tackle Plastic Waste Pollution in a Transitional Country

Researchers surveyed 730 Vietnamese households on plastic waste management strategies, finding that waste sorting, environmental fund contributions, and willingness to relocate from polluted areas varied based on socioeconomic factors and environmental awareness.

2023 Urban Science 48 citations
Article Tier 2

Greening agriculture as a response to climate change: a case study from China over 2000–2021

This paper is not relevant to microplastics research; it assesses green agriculture development and carbon efficiency in China's Qinghai Province from 2000 to 2021 using economic and environmental modeling, with no connection to plastic pollution.

2024 Frontiers in Sustainable Food Systems 2 citations
Article Tier 2

Microplastic contamination in cotton soils following long-term mulching: A field study for the Xinjiang production and construction corps in China

Researchers investigated microplastic accumulation across agricultural soils in Xinjiang, China — a major mulch film use region — finding that microplastic abundance positively correlates with mulching duration and that geographical and social factors drive north-south differences in contamination levels.

2025 Results in Engineering
Article Tier 2

Evaluating strategies for sustainable recovery and recycling of plastic waste in the West Bank of Palestine: The perspectives of plastic companies

Researchers surveyed 30 plastic manufacturing and recycling companies in the West Bank of Palestine to assess which social, legal, technological, environmental, and economic strategies would best motivate improved plastic waste recovery, finding strong industry support for community awareness programs and legislation mandating recycling practices.

2022 Environmental Monitoring and Assessment 8 citations
Article Tier 2

Uncovering hidden determinants of millennial farmers’ intentions in running conservation agriculture: An application of the Norm Activation Model

Not relevant to microplastics — this study applies the Norm Activation Model to understand why millennial farmers in Central Java, Indonesia do or do not adopt conservation practices on degraded mountain agricultural land.

2024 Open Agriculture 3 citations
Article Tier 2

Contribution of mulch film to microplastics in agricultural soil and surface water in China

Researchers developed a framework to quantify how much agricultural mulch film contributes to microplastic contamination in farmland soil and surface water in China, measuring the ratio of mulch-derived particles to total microplastics from all sources.

2021 Environmental Pollution 119 citations
Article Tier 2

Occurrence of Microplastics from Plastic Fragments in Cultivated Soil of Sichuan Province: The Key Controls

Researchers surveyed plastic fragment contamination in 20 mulched agricultural farmlands across Sichuan Province, China, finding abundances ranging from 50 to 1,158 particles per kilogram. A random forest model identified total mulch film amount, annual precipitation, and planting pattern as the key controls on fragment abundance.

2022 Water 15 citations
Article Tier 2

It is still too early to promote biodegradable mulch film on a large scale: A bibliometric analysis

Researchers conducted a bibliometric analysis of studies on biodegradable mulch film as an alternative to conventional plastic mulch in agriculture. The study found that despite growing research interest, significant knowledge gaps remain regarding biodegradation rates in real field conditions and potential ecotoxicity of degradation byproducts. The analysis suggests it is premature to promote large-scale adoption of biodegradable mulch film without further evidence of its environmental safety.

2022 Environmental Technology & Innovation 54 citations
Article Tier 2

Distinct microplastic distributions in soils of different land-use types: A case study of Chinese farmlands

Microplastic distribution across six types of farmland land use was surveyed from soils in five Chinese provinces to determine how agricultural practices shape soil microplastic contamination. The study found that microplastic abundance varied significantly by land-use type, with plastic mulch film use and irrigation practices as key contributing factors.

2020 Environmental Pollution 278 citations