Plastic pollution is increasingly recognized as a major environmental challenge in agroecosystems due to the widespread use of plastic-based materials for irrigation, protection, and plant support. Despite their practical benefits, their persistence and fragmentation lead to the accumulation of (micro)plastics in soils, contributing to long-term contamination and negatively affecting soil health. As such contamination originates from material inputs, the selection and use of agricultural products represent a key starting point for reducing impacts and advancing regenerative agriculture.
In perennial production systems such as apple orchards, mitigating this issue is particularly challenging. Due to the long lifespan of orchards, materials must meet high functional requirements, including long-term durability, UV resistance, and weather resistance, which makes substitution with alternatives significantly more difficult. Furthermore, the complete removal of plastic debris during orchard clearing is often not feasible. Therefore, it is essential that potential alternative materials undergo complete degradation under natural soil conditions.
This study aims to examine the current use of plastic products in apple orchards across different applications and to identify potential alternatives, focusing on applications where substitution was deemed more feasible (like tying material). The methodology combined local retailer inquiries with targeted online research to compile and analyze a comprehensive product list, including potential alternatives.
In addition, a farmer perception survey was conducted to assess awareness of plastic-related environmental impacts, knowledge of available alternatives, and perceived barriers to their adoption.
The material assessment revealed that common polymers such as polyethylene (PE), polypropylene (PP), and polyvinyl chloride (PVC) dominate specific application areas. The evaluation further highlighted limited availability and transparency of material composition information, as well as challenges related to recycling and end-of-life management, particularly for fossil-based plastics. A range of potential alternatives was identified, including biopolymers derived from renewable biological resources and biobased or non-plastic options such as natural fibre-based products. While these alternatives may reduce plastic inputs, application-specific evaluation shows that high costs, limited durability, and constraints in circular economy strategies—including reuse, recycling, and biodegradation—remain major barriers to effective substitution.
Addressing plastic inputs and their potential impacts on soils requires more than substitution; it demands a systemic approach aligned with regenerative agriculture, integrating material selection, product design, application-specific requirements, and improved end-of-life management. Supporting farmer decision-making and fostering innovation in sustainable material solutions are key steps toward regenerative and soil-protective agricultural systems.