Agricultural plastic waste mapping using GIS. A case study in Italy

Blanco, Ileana; Loisi, Rosa Viviana; Sica, Carmela; Schettini, Evelia; Vox, Giuliano

doi:10.1016/j.resconrec.2018.06.008

Cited by 79 publications

(49 citation statements)

References 51 publications

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“…The estimates are consistent with the global forecast, which showed that the production of synthetic plastics generated 1.7 Gt of CO 2 -equivalent [57]. Since agricultural plastics account for 2% of the global demand [58], 340 megatons of CO 2 -equivalent were generated from agricultural-related applications; this is an issue of environmental concern because carbon emissions are projected to increase fourfold by 2050 [57]. The ecological risks could be mitigated by the commercialization and production of bio-based plastics with suitable mechanical, optical, and radiometric properties.…”

Section: Production Of Synthetic and Biodegradable Polymerssupporting

confidence: 84%

Environmental Sustainability of Plastic in Agriculture

Maraveas

2020

Agriculture

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This article investigates the environmental sustainability of plastic nets in agricultural environments based on published experimental data. This article focuses on biodegradable and synthetic plastics used in farms as mulching materials and shade materials/greenhouse covering materials (shade nets and plastic films) to protect plants from pests and extreme weather. The sustainability was determined by three factors, carbon footprint from cradle to the end of life (LCA), durability (resistance to photo-oxidation and high tensile strength), and affordability. The LCA analyses showed that the production of polyethylene (PE) requires less energy and generates low quantities of greenhouse gas equivalents. Beyond the LCA data, biodegradable polymers are sustainable based on biodegradability and compostability, ability to suppress weeds, control soil temperatures, and moisture, and augment fertigation and drip irrigation. However, existing technologies are a limiting factor because lab-based innovations have not been commercialized. In addition, industrial production of shade nets, plastic greenhouse covers, and mulching materials are limited to synthetic plastics. The bio-based plastic materials are sustainable based on biodegradability, and resistant to photo-oxidation. The resistance to UV degradation is an essential property because solar radiation cleaves C-C bonds, which in turn impact the mechanical strength of the materials. In brief, the sustainability of plastics in farms is influenced by LCA data, mechanical and optical properties, and performance relative to other materials.

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Section: Production Of Synthetic and Biodegradable Polymerssupporting

confidence: 84%

Environmental Sustainability of Plastic in Agriculture

Maraveas

2020

Agriculture

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“…However, the use of plastic represents a spotlighted issue due to the adverse environmental impact connected to its disposal. In this respect, the agricultural plastic waste on the land is being estimated and mapped by using satellite images, with the aim to monitor and optimize its collection from the farms and their transport to the recycling companies [10,11]; notably, in Barletta-Andria-Trani Province of Apulia Region the agricultural plastic waste amounts to 1.2 tons per hectare [12]. Indeed, plastic degradation is a complex process which is remarkably affected by the plastic composition as well as the biotic and abiotic conditions they are exposed to [13].…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Production, Leaf Quality and Antioxidants of Perennial Wall Rocket as Affected by Crop Cycle and Mulching Type

Caruso

Stoleru²,

Pascale

et al. 2019

Agronomy

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The plastic mulch has raised a disposal issue, which has been diverting the research focus on biodegradable film as an alternative. Research was carried out in southern Italy in 2016–2017 and 2017–2018 in order to assess the effects of three crop cycles (autumn-winter, winter, spring) in factorial combination with three soil mulching types (a MaterBi biodegradable black film; a brown photoselective low density polyethylene (LDPE) film; a black-standard LDPE film) and a non-mulched control, on leaves yield, quality and antioxidants of greenhouse grown Diplotaxis tenuifolia (L.) D.C. The spring cycle was the shortest and best enhanced plant growth and yield. The non-mulched control caused an 11% yield reduction compared to the mulching treatments average (12.4 t ha−1). The soil temperature was highest under photoselective and standard LDPE films. The Soil Plant Analysis Development (SPAD) index was 17.4% higher in the leaves grown in mulched soil. Winter season and biodegradable mulch led to higher leaf dry residue and organic acids. Leaf nitrate content was highest in winter and under mulching. The spring cycle, the biodegradable and photoselective LDPE film resulted in the highest antioxidant compound content and activity. The biodegradable polymer improved leaf quality, showing suitable features for sustainable production.

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“…As there are limited reports on soil ecotoxicity due to plastic waste, it is imperative to analyse the magnitude of the problem to suggest an effective solution to this menace. The plastics have major application in agriculture worldwide (2% of annual production; Blanco et al 2018), and mulching is one of the largest applications in agriculture with overall annual production volume of approximately 2 × 10 6 tonnes (Sintim and Flury 2017). Mulching means covering the surface of soil either completely or partially that increases soil temperature, controls weed production, enhances fertilizers efficiency and soil water levels, improves total soil porosity as well as crop quality and yield (Moreno and Moreno 2008; Nawaz et al 2017).…”

Section: Impact Of Plastic Degradation Products On Soil Ecologymentioning

confidence: 99%

Polyester‐based biodegradable plastics: an approach towards sustainable development

Satti

Shah

2020

Lett Appl Microbiol

103

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Significance and Impact of the Study: Polyester-based BPs considered as a solution to current plastic waste problem as well as leading polymers in terms of biodegradability and sustainability has been critically discussed. The role of microorganisms and their enzymes involved in the biodegradation of these polymers and ecotoxicological impact of degradation products of BPs on soil microbial community and biogeochemical cycles has also been described. This report will provide an insight on the key research areas to bridge the gap for development of simulated systems as an effective and emerging strategy to divert the overflow of plastic in the environment as well as for the greener solution to the plastic waste management problems. AbstractNon-degradability of conventional plastics, filling of landfill sites, raising water and land pollution and rapid depletion of fossil resources have raised the environmental issues and global concerns. The current demand and production of plastics is putting immense pressure on fossil resources, consuming about 6% of the global oil and is expected to grow up to 20%. The polyester-based biodegradable plastics (BPs) are considered as a remedy to the issue of plastics waste in the environment. BPs appear to manage the overflow of plastics by providing new means of waste management system and help in securing the non-renewable resources of nature. This review comprehensively presents the environmental burdens due to conventional plastics as well as production of polyester-based BPs as an alternative to conventional commodity plastics. The diversity of micro-organisms and their enzymes that degrade various polyesterbased BPs (PLA, PCL, PHB/PHBV and PET) has also been described in detail. Moreover, the impact of plastics degradation products on soil ecology and ecosystem functions has critically been discussed. The report ends with special focus on future recommendations for the development of sustainable waste management strategies to control pollution due to plastics waste. Letters in Applied Microbiology ISSN 0266-8254Packaging, compost bags and agricultural mulching films Li et al. (2015) Letters in Applied Microbiology 70, 413--430

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Agricultural plastic waste mapping using GIS. A case study in Italy

Cited by 79 publications

References 51 publications

Environmental Sustainability of Plastic in Agriculture

Environmental Sustainability of Plastic in Agriculture

Production, Leaf Quality and Antioxidants of Perennial Wall Rocket as Affected by Crop Cycle and Mulching Type

Polyester‐based biodegradable plastics: an approach towards sustainable development

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