Towards a Sustainable Future: Advancing an Integrated Approach for the Recycling and Valorization of Agricultural Plastics
Plastic pollution has become a pressing environmental issue. The agricultural sector, in particular, is a significant contributor to this problem, given the widespread use of plastics in farming practices and a lack of and/or use of inefficient approaches for the recycling and valorization of agricu...
| Main Authors: | , , , |
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| Format: | Article |
| Language: | English |
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MDPI AG
2023-11-01
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| Series: | Polymers |
| Subjects: | |
| Online Access: | https://www.mdpi.com/2073-4360/15/23/4529 |
| _version_ | 1797399657955983360 |
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| author | Susana Filipe Paulo Mira Mourão Nazaré Couto Davide Tranchida |
| author_facet | Susana Filipe Paulo Mira Mourão Nazaré Couto Davide Tranchida |
| author_sort | Susana Filipe |
| collection | DOAJ |
| description | Plastic pollution has become a pressing environmental issue. The agricultural sector, in particular, is a significant contributor to this problem, given the widespread use of plastics in farming practices and a lack of and/or use of inefficient approaches for the recycling and valorization of agricultural plastic waste. This has resulted in the accumulation of these residues in landfills and/or their improper disposal, which has exacerbated their environmental impact, leading to negative consequences on soil, water, and ecosystems. This work provides an overview on the current methodologies available to address the challenges associated with inadequate management of agricultural plastics and highlights the need for a comprehensive and systematic methodology, involving material development, polymer processing, waste collection, sorting, and valorization. It emphasizes the importance of collaboration between polymer producers, polymer manufacturers, farmers, policymakers, waste management companies, and recyclers to develop effective, technical, and economically viable recycling and valorization schemes. This paper addresses gaps and provides guidance on possible solutions, specifically polymer development, policy instruments, regulatory frameworks, collection schemes, and the technical approaches required for the adequate valorization of agricultural plastic waste. Furthermore, it highlights the associated barriers and benefits of the different presented approaches. It also aims to promote awareness on agricultural plastic waste and provide guidance on the best approaches to reduce its environmental impact. |
| first_indexed | 2024-03-09T01:44:18Z |
| format | Article |
| id | doaj.art-adf827d2b89245c8afb71cff17d5b8be |
| institution | Directory Open Access Journal |
| issn | 2073-4360 |
| language | English |
| last_indexed | 2024-03-09T01:44:18Z |
| publishDate | 2023-11-01 |
| publisher | MDPI AG |
| record_format | Article |
| series | Polymers |
| spelling | doaj.art-adf827d2b89245c8afb71cff17d5b8be2023-12-08T15:24:18ZengMDPI AGPolymers2073-43602023-11-011523452910.3390/polym15234529Towards a Sustainable Future: Advancing an Integrated Approach for the Recycling and Valorization of Agricultural PlasticsSusana Filipe0Paulo Mira Mourão1Nazaré Couto2Davide Tranchida3MED—Mediterranean Institute for Agriculture, Environment and Development & CHANGE—Global Change and Sustainability Institute, Institute for Advanced Studies and Research, Universidade de Évora, Pólo da Mitra, Ap. 94, 7006-554 Évora, PortugalMED—Mediterranean Institute for Agriculture, Environment and Development & CHANGE—Global Change and Sustainability Institute, Institute for Advanced Studies and Research, Departamento de Química e Bioquímica, Universidade de Évora, Pólo da Mitra, Ap. 94, 7006-554 Évora, PortugalCENSE—Center for Environmental and Sustainability Research & CHANGE—Global Change and Sustainability Institute, Department of Environmental Sciences and Engineering, NOVA School of Science and Technology, NOVA University Lisbon, 2829-516 Caparica, PortugalCompetence Center Advanced Polymer Characterisation, Borealis GmbH, Sankt Peter Strasse 25, 4021 Linz, AustriaPlastic pollution has become a pressing environmental issue. The agricultural sector, in particular, is a significant contributor to this problem, given the widespread use of plastics in farming practices and a lack of and/or use of inefficient approaches for the recycling and valorization of agricultural plastic waste. This has resulted in the accumulation of these residues in landfills and/or their improper disposal, which has exacerbated their environmental impact, leading to negative consequences on soil, water, and ecosystems. This work provides an overview on the current methodologies available to address the challenges associated with inadequate management of agricultural plastics and highlights the need for a comprehensive and systematic methodology, involving material development, polymer processing, waste collection, sorting, and valorization. It emphasizes the importance of collaboration between polymer producers, polymer manufacturers, farmers, policymakers, waste management companies, and recyclers to develop effective, technical, and economically viable recycling and valorization schemes. This paper addresses gaps and provides guidance on possible solutions, specifically polymer development, policy instruments, regulatory frameworks, collection schemes, and the technical approaches required for the adequate valorization of agricultural plastic waste. Furthermore, it highlights the associated barriers and benefits of the different presented approaches. It also aims to promote awareness on agricultural plastic waste and provide guidance on the best approaches to reduce its environmental impact.https://www.mdpi.com/2073-4360/15/23/4529plasticsagriculturegovernancepublic policieswastesrecycling |
| spellingShingle | Susana Filipe Paulo Mira Mourão Nazaré Couto Davide Tranchida Towards a Sustainable Future: Advancing an Integrated Approach for the Recycling and Valorization of Agricultural Plastics Polymers plastics agriculture governance public policies wastes recycling |
| title | Towards a Sustainable Future: Advancing an Integrated Approach for the Recycling and Valorization of Agricultural Plastics |
| title_full | Towards a Sustainable Future: Advancing an Integrated Approach for the Recycling and Valorization of Agricultural Plastics |
| title_fullStr | Towards a Sustainable Future: Advancing an Integrated Approach for the Recycling and Valorization of Agricultural Plastics |
| title_full_unstemmed | Towards a Sustainable Future: Advancing an Integrated Approach for the Recycling and Valorization of Agricultural Plastics |
| title_short | Towards a Sustainable Future: Advancing an Integrated Approach for the Recycling and Valorization of Agricultural Plastics |
| title_sort | towards a sustainable future advancing an integrated approach for the recycling and valorization of agricultural plastics |
| topic | plastics agriculture governance public policies wastes recycling |
| url | https://www.mdpi.com/2073-4360/15/23/4529 |
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