Zero Waste Team, SIERRA CLUB, Bluegrass Group
Our Mission: To positively impact our environment, human health, and the economy by educating and inspiring our community to commit to Zero Waste practices, and by forming partnerships with local leaders to promote a Zero Waste model of living.
Keep up with developments in the Zero Waste Campaign at our facebook page https://www.facebook.com/zerowastejourneybluegrass/
What Is In Your Soil Besides Dirt?
The Zero Waste Team has increased my awareness of the overuse of plastics and the damage they cause to people, water, air, and wildlife. However, I had not given much thought to our soil until recently. That changed when I pulled out some old plastic sheeting from a small flower bed I was weeding in Wilmore. I immediately realized deteriorating plastic sheeting could not be good for the soil and decided to do some research.
Concern about plastics in soil has been increasing, especially in the last 10 years because agricultural soil is full of plastics of different sizes—macroplastics (greater than 5 mm in diameter). mesoplastics ((5mm-2cm), and nanoparticles (microscopic). The plastics affect the soil quality, bugs, earthworms, plant productivity, photosynthesis, grazing animals and humans.
Agriculture uses many types of plastic from the nursery stage of plants to post harvest in forms such as films, fibers, foam, slow-release fertilizers, irrigation water, and sludge. Also, the impact of climate change, chemical pesticides, and invasive species become intertwined with the breakdown of plastics.
The production of global plastic waste increased from 1.5 tons in 1950 to 367 million tons in 2020. In some ways the use of plastics benefits agriculture by controlling weeds, and slowing the evaporation of moisture, but the adverse effects are increasing. The damage not only comes from the use of these products but also from poor waste management, leaving deteriorating plastics in the soil, erosion, and deforestation. Plastics are used in all types of farming from organic to industrial to hydroponics where it is most discernible.
Plastics break down from erosion and weathering, and that process makes it easier for plastics to be absorbed by plants. The plastics are taken up by the seeds, roots and can affect the edible parts. Carrots and apples are the most contaminated, but other vegetables, lettuce, grains, and fruits are contaminated as well.
In an age where we are overwhelmed with plastics, plastics permeating the soil is just another problem that seems out of our control. There are ways to reduce the impact, however, and research is continuing to understand the effects and ways to control it.
- Discard plastics that are deteriorating
- Recycle when appropriate
- Biodegradable mulch films
- Fabric pots
- Compostable seed trays made from bamboo or fabric and planting materials that can be put directly in the ground
- Irrigation systems that use reusable parts or parts more durable than plastic
- One idea being proposed is planting wheat, lettuce, or fava beans that absorb plastics to draw plastics out of the soil
It is still not clear how much plastic we ingest from fruits, vegetables, and meats, but it is recommended that using fresh, unpackaged produce and meat is better and should be stored in non-plastic containers.
In March of 2022, 175 countries agreed to negotiate a Plastics Treaty to end plastic pollution by 2024. There have been 5 sessions to work on the treaty since that time, and the second half of the 5th session will be held in Geneva, Switzerland from August 5-14. So far, the countries have not been able to agree on the terms. The United States under the Biden Administration decided not to support a cap on plastic production, and since then other countries have had reservations. There is still hope there will be a resolution of the challenges at this upcoming meeting. We must support the efforts of these countries and keep up the pressure on the oil and gas companies, corporations, and our state and national governments. Reducing the production and use of plastics is vital for the health of our planet. We can also make a difference by avoiding the use of plastics in our homes, our yards, food choices, and cooking.
Resources: Environmental Sciences, Europe 2/17/23
Earth.com. Agricultural soil is now the world’s biggest dumping ground. By Sanjana Cajbhive, 5/24/2025
Royal Society of Chemistry. The problem of plastic in our soils by Barbara Pinho, 10/21/2024
PNAS NEXUS. Agricultural plastic pollution reduces soil function even under best management practices by ekta Tiwari and Seet Sistla, 10/10/2024
Phys,org. Farms study shows plastic mulch is contaminating agricultural fields, 10/22/2024
Microplastics and Agriculture, Sierra Club Michigan Chapter, 2/1/2024
National Institutes of Health. Micro and nano plastics in fruits and vegetables—PMC by NN lazar, 2024