Agricultural plastics
Facilitated by Dr Anne‑Maree Boland (RMCG)
Isabel Axiö (RMCG)
Farming with plastic: current landscape, challenges, innovations and future pathways
The utilisation of plastics in agriculture provides significant benefits to both production systems and the environment. However, the current application of plastics in this sector presents several challenges, including the high volume of use, substandard material quality, and the absence of sustainable management practices. To address these issues, it is crucial to develop production systems that minimize plastic use, employ higher quality materials, and incorporate circular management strategies. This presentation will examine the current landscape of plastic use in agriculture, highlight existing solutions, and propose pathways for achieving more sustainable and circular plastic use.
Stuart Gordon (CSIRO)
Sprayable biodegradable mulch
Plastic mulch films (PMFs) are widely used in crops to improve water use efficiency, prevent weeds, and increase soil temperature for germination. Currently more than 10 million tons of PMFs are used each year and none is truly biodegradable. There are now long-term negative effects associated with the build-up of plastic mulch residues such as reduced soil porosity and water content, and plant effects such as leaf wilting, dead seedlings, and premature ageing of the crop. All of which cause significant declines in farm productivity. CSIRO has developed a sprayable biodegradable mulch (SBM) to eliminate the use of PMFs, so nothing leaves the farm except healthy crop products. The SBM, based on an aqueous and biodegradable polyurethane emulsion is metabolised within the crop cycle by the soil microbiome leaving no toxic residues. The presentation provides an update on development of the SBM, and recent funding by the Australian Grains Research and Development Corporation to reformulate CSIRO’s SBM so that it can be applied to broadacre agriculture.
Gavin Crawford (Bundaberg Regional Council)
Trickle tape problems and the solutions
The presentation will cover the current status of play with Trickle-Tape in Queensland. The problems with the current methods of end-of-life disposal of the plastic will be detailed and the current limited recycling options will be covered.
The Bundaberg Regional Council’s experience with sustainably managing Trickle-Tape (400 tonnes per annum) will be explored as will the proposed solution for the appropriate management of this plastic. A National Product Stewardship proposal will be put forward for Trickle-Tape that can be built upon in stages to add other agricultural irrigation pipes and then the “Holy Grail” – Mulch Plastic Film!
Stefanie Thoo (Pro-Pac Group)
Closing the loop: cultivating a circular economy for agricultural soft plastics
Recovering and recycling agricultural plastics has seen commendable strides, yet the journey isn’t without hurdles. While drums find their way into the cycle, soft plastics linger as a formidable challenge. Tackling these obstacles demands a united effort across the entire value chain. Collaboration becomes the beacon guiding us through this intricate landscape. It’s not merely about innovation; it’s about collective action, pooling resources, and sharing expertise. This session will explore how PPG and its partners are collaborating to address the issue of agricultural soft plastics, including silage and cotton wrap
Presentation not available. Please contact the presenter directly.