Plastic mulch is commonly used for Australian crops such as tomatoes, capsicums, zucchinis, strawberries and in nursery production to retain moisture, suppress weeds and retain fumigation in the soil.
However, plastic mulch is an environmental issue as there is no viable or sustainable disposal and it is usually highly contaminated with plant matter and soil. Stockpiling, burying and/or burning on farm is common practice with a high risk of microplastics contamination.
Certified soil biodegradable mulches (CSBM) are a potential solution which break down naturally in the soil, leaving organic material and no microplastics, and no removal or disposal costs. While the upfront cost for CSBM products can be 50% to 200% more than the cost of conventional plastic mulch, there are significant savings from disposal. It is therefore important to consider the whole-of-life cost when selecting these products.
Find out more about soil biodegradable mulches in this fact sheet.
