Plastics used in farming—called agriplastics— can help improve crop production, protect plants, and increase efficiency in agriculture, forestry, and aquaculture. But their widespread use has also created major environmental problems, especially plastic pollution.
PAPILLONS looked at what scientists, industry experts, farmers, environmental groups, and policymakers think about agriplastics. The study includes findings from a survey of global experts and proposes a system for understanding the different types of agriplastics.
While opinions differ—some want to reduce or replace agriplastics with alternatives like biodegradable materials—there is strong agreement on key actions. These include redesigning plastics to be safer, improving labeling and traceability, setting environmental standards, and finding better ways to manage plastic waste.
Everyone involved agrees that protecting the environment is essential. The researchers propose a circular model based on best practices, aiming to balance the benefits of agriplastics with the need to protect ecosystems. They also stress the importance of preserving traditional, nature-based farming knowledge to make our food systems more sustainable and resilient.
Click HERE to read the full study