Plastic is widely used in agriculture—for instance in greenhouse covers, mulching films, and irrigation pipes—and constitutes a viable means to increase the sector’s productivity. But what happens when these materials reach the end of their life cycle? The mismanagement of agricultural plastic waste (APW) leads to pollution, soil contamination, and inefficiencies in waste disposal. A new study by the Università degli Studi di Bari Aldo Moro proposes an innovative approach to tackle this challenge by establishing a scientific methodology to improve the design of the collection and transport system of APW, providing empirical evidence supporting its benefits.
PAPILLONS researchers developed a GIS-based methodology (Geographic Information System) to optimize the management of plastic waste from farms. The province of Bari was selected as a case study, a region generating a significant amount of APW, a region generating a significant amount of APW.
Key findings show that:
– The design of an effective system for the management of the plastic waste flow can increase recycling opportunities and sustainability.
– The introduction of intermediate collection centers (instead of farmers autonomously transporting waste to recycling plants) significantly improves efficiency.
– This system reduces waste transport distances by 62% and lowers CO₂ emissions by 20% compared to direct farm-to-recycling transport.
– The study mapped out the best locations for these collection centers, considering environmental, social, and economic factors.
This approach helps farmers manage waste more efficiently, reduces transportation costs and emissions, and boosts recycling opportunities. With better planning and investment in waste collection infrastructure, agriculture can become greener and more circular.
Read the full study here: https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S0921344925000898?via%3Dihub