Low-cost and adaptable plastic products are used in every aspect of our food systems, from tree guards to greenhouses. Although they can increase productivity and efficiency in agricultural sectors and help minimize food loss and waste, plastics are a major source of contamination. Their widespread and long-term use, combined with the lack of systematic collection and sustainable management, leads to pollution of soil and aquatic environments.
As the demand for agricultural plastics continues to rise, there is an urgent need for better monitoring of the quantities of environmentally damaging plastic products.
Promoting circular approaches to reducing plastic waste generation through prevention, reduction, reuse and recycling is essential.
Measures to reduce both the direct environmental damage caused by agricultural plastic pollution and the indirect effects of greenhouse gas emissions due to the use of petroleum-derived plastics should be implemented as a priority.
In 2019, agricultural value chains used 12.5 million tons of plastic products in plant and animal production and 37.3 million tons of plastic products in food packaging.
In addition, the agro-plastics industry forecasts that global demand for greenhouse, mulching and silage films will increase by 50% in 2030, from 6.1 million tons in 2018 to 9.5 million tons. The agriculture and livestock sectors are the largest users, collectively at 10 million tons per year, followed by fishing and aquaculture with 2.1 million tons and forestry with 0.2 million tons.
Related Products
The accompanying report highlights the need for globally coordinated and decisive action to facilitate good management practices and reduce the use of plastics that pollute soil and water in the agricultural sector. The report also provides information on the following topics:
- The use and benefits of plastic in agriculture,
- Types and quantities of agricultural plastic products in use,
- Damages caused by plastics,
- agricultural plastic products,
- Systems to facilitate good agricultural practices,
- Proposals to advance to a circular economy for agricultural plastics,
- A summary of the main findings and recommendations for policy makers.
The data show that only a small fraction of agricultural plastics are collected and recycled, predominantly in developed economies. Therefore, the model proposed by the report, “𝟔𝐑 𝐌 𝐝 𝐥” (Reject (Refuse), Redesign, Reduce, Reuse, Recycle and Recover) should be expanded in all countries. and should be implemented.
As a result, our land is heavily polluted in our country. The Ministry of Environment should immediately stop importing plastic waste.
Between January and November 2021, England alone exported 117,678 tons of plastic waste to Turkey.
Sources
Serkan SEZEN