According to a report published in the PlastLIFE project, most agricultural plastics would be technically recyclable, but recycling is hindered in particular by long transport distances, high collection costs, and sorting and storage practices for plastics on farms.
The report examined especially haybale wraps, haybale nets, clamp sheets, horticultural fleece, mulch films, irrigation pipes, and agricultural packaging materials. It delineates the main material composition and use of these plastics, and their technical feasibility for mechanical recycling. In addition, the report brings together the regulations governing the handling of agricultural plastics, current collection and recycling solutions, and presents some of the key actors involved in the agroplastics recycling in Finland.
Based on the results, increasing the recycling rate will require the development of the collection network and recycling options, improved sorting at source, and guidance targeted at farmers.
The publication was produced in collaboration by the University of Turku, LAB University of Applied Sciences and the Finnish Environment Institute (Syke) as part of the PlastLIFE project.
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