Recent research from California Polytechnic State University, US, highlighted the issue of plastic mulch residue left in the soil, especially in strawberry fields. The study found that up to 213,500 pieces of microplastics per hectare could remain in fields after seasonal film removal, impacting soil moisture, microbial activity and essential nitrogen availability.

This revelation sparked worries about the long-term sustainability of plastic mulch use in agriculture, given its widespread adoption globally. Dr. Ekta Tiwari, lead author of the study, warned, “plastic mulch provides benefits but at the expense of long-term soil quality. Removing these particles from the soil is difficult and expensive, so once they are there, they can stay indefinitely.”

While plastic mulch has been a staple in agriculture, researchers suggest that farmers and policymakers explore alternatives like biodegradable plastic mulch or natural options like straws. However, these alternatives may come with higher economic costs or lower effectiveness.

Advantage Kraft Mulch is a paper alternative to plastic mulching film commonly used to protect plants from birds and weather impacts.Ground cover leaving no residues
With field trials showing promising results — including effective weed inhibition and natural decomposition — compared to traditional plastic mulch, Advantage Kraft Mulch poses no risk of microplastics entering the soil, according to the companies.

Lasse Berglund, business development manager of Kraft Paper at Mondi, says: “Advantage Kraft Mulch eliminates unnecessary plastic in agriculture and farming and benefits the environment as the product adds organic matter to the soil and requires no infrastructure for disposal or recycling.”

Mondi and Cotesi’s collaborative effort not only marks a stride toward sustainable farming practices but also addresses growing concerns about microplastics (MP) and nanoplastics (NP) in agricultural soils.

Researchers from the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign, US, recently discovered widespread dispersion of MP and NP in agricultural soils. These tiny plastic particles have raised alarms due to their potential to contribute to the development of antibiotic-resistant bacteria, posing risks to food supplies.

MPs and NPs have been identified as hotspots for exchanging antimicrobial resistance genes among different environmental bacteria. This phenomenon, known as horizontal gene transfer under micro-nano plastics pressure, is of particular concern as it could exacerbate the propagation of antimicrobial resistance, which the researchers consider a global public health issue. 

Modern farming practices heavily rely on plastics, including the traditional plastic mulch films that Advantage Kraft Mulch aims to replace.