The United Nations environment program has issued a warning that plastic waste is stacking up in soil all around the globe

21 October, 2022

A new analysis that was released on Monday by the United Nations environment program (UNEP) indicates that plastics that are used in farming operations are piling up in agricultural soil throughout the globe at an alarming pace.

Agriculture makes considerable use of plastics, from seeds that have been coated in plastic to protective coverings that are used to regulate the temperature of the soil and prevent the development of weeds over crops.

These man-made substances are also purposefully mixed into biosolid fertiliser, which is then applied to fields, and they are used in the production of irrigation tubes, sacks, and bottles.

The influence of biodiversity on health

In spite of the fact that all of these goods have contributed to an increase in crop yields, the research cautions that there is mounting evidence that degraded plastics are polluting the soil, which has an effect on biodiversity as well as the health of the soil.

In addition, microplastics, such as the kind that is used in some types of fertilisers, are having an effect on human health when they are passed to humans via the food chain.

Professor Elaine Baker from the University of Sydney, who is also a co-author of the research, said that “there is only a limited quantity of agricultural land accessible.” “We are beginning to realise that the accumulation of plastic may have wide-ranging effects on soil health, biodiversity, and productivity, all of which are essential for maintaining food security,”

Everything is impacted by plastic in some way.

The specialists at UNEP say that over the course of time, large pieces of plastic may shatter into fragments that are little longer than 5 millimetres in length and penetrate into the soil.

These microplastics have the potential to alter the earth’s physicochemical structure and reduce its ability to store water where they are deposited. They may also have an effect on plants by inhibiting the development of root systems and the intake of nutrients.

Fertilisers made from organic matter such as manure are the single most significant contributor to the contamination of soil with microplastics at the present time.

The manure is combined with the same plastic microspheres that are known to be regularly used in some soaps, shampoos, and cosmetics items. Despite the fact that these may be less expensive and healthier for the environment than produced fertilisers, the manure still contains the microspheres.

Even while these particular microspheres have been outlawed in some nations, other types of microplastics are still making their way into our water systems via discarded cigarette filters, tyre components, and synthetic garment fibres.

What should one do?

The paper outlines the work that is being made to increase the biodegradability of polymers that are used in agricultural goods.

On the other hand, protective films are currently being sold as entirely biodegradable and compostable, despite the fact that this is not always the case. These films are intended to prevent the loss of moisture.

Bio-based polymers aren’t guaranteed to be biodegradable, and some of them could be just as harmful as polymers made from fossil fuels. Furthermore, the cost of bio-based polymers is still a concern.

The authors of the paper suggest using so-called “cover crops,” which are plants that are grown only for the purpose of protecting the soil and are not intended to be harvested.

There are fears that these nature-based solutions might diminish yields and raise costs, which is something that the UNEP has warned about. These solutions can control weeds, fight soil diseases, and enhance soil fertility.

There is no silver bullet among these possible remedies. Ms. Baker noted that since plastic is both affordable and simple to work with, it is difficult to persuade people to switch to other materials.

The expert, on the other hand, suggests that governments should “disincentivize” the use of agricultural plastics, following in the footsteps of the European Union, which earlier this year prohibited the use of certain types of polymers in fertiliser. This would be similar to the action taken by the European Union.

The Australian researcher emphasised that “now is the time to adopt the precautionary principle and develop targeted solutions for stopping the flow of plastic from the source and into the environment.” They say “Now is the time to adopt the precautionary principle and develop targeted solutions.”