Post by Wageningen Food & Biobased Research

♻️🌱 Plastic is indispensable in agriculture and horticulture, but reuse and recycling are often complex. Together with partners, we developed solutions to make the use of plastics more circular and environmentally sustainable. 𝗖𝗵𝗮𝗹𝗹𝗲𝗻𝗴𝗲𝘀 From container bags and films to flower netting and packaging, plastics increase yields, improve hygiene and enable efficient cultivation. At the same time, these applications pose major challenges. Many plastics come into direct contact with plants, soil or water, making reuse and recycling difficult. Our project with Wageningen Plant Research focused on one key question: how can the use of plastics in agriculture and horticulture be made as circular as possible, without compromising functionality and crop security? 𝗦𝗰𝗶𝗲𝗻𝘁𝗶𝗳𝗶𝗰 𝗶𝗻𝘀𝗶𝗴𝗵𝘁𝘀 𝗳𝗼𝗿 𝗱𝗲𝗰𝗶𝘀𝗶𝗼𝗻-𝗺𝗮𝗸𝗶𝗻𝗴 Besides product development, the project focused on key sector-wide problems. An important issue, for example, was if plant viruses can survive during recycling processes. The research showed that some viruses can indeed survive standard recycling temperatures. These insights are essential for developing safe and economically viable recycling strategies, and to help the industry make choices. 𝗣𝗿𝗮𝗰𝘁𝗶𝗰𝗮𝗹 𝘁𝗼𝗼𝗹𝘀 𝗳𝗼𝗿 𝗴𝗿𝗼𝘄𝗲𝗿𝘀 We also developed practical tools that make it possible to directly apply the acquired knowledge. For example, a decision tree was created to help growers choose the right type of plastic, tailored to application, useful life and expected end-of-life route. In addition, WUR clearly mapped legislation and regulations, certification and sustainability frameworks. 🤝 In this project, WUR worked with companies and other knowledge institutions on solutions that are not only technically feasible, but also economically and practically viable for the industry. 👉 Do you have a question about reusing plastics in agriculture and horticulture? Reach out to business developer Raphael Fredon, PhD or programme manager circular greenhouse horticulture Alexander Boedijn.