Microplastics in soils : what are we talking about ?

AUTHOR : Bernard LE MOINE, General Secretary, International Committee for Plastics in Agriculture (CIPA)

Talking about plastic pollution is nowadays more frequent than really documented. However, if there is one subject that requires precise knowledge of the causes and effects before drawing any dramatic conclusions, it is this one. It is a matter of prudence, because the consequences of the wrong decisions could prove dramatic ; it is also a matter of urgency, because the problem does exist, and its resolution requires pragmatic and sustainable solutions. An enlightening update by Bernard Le Moine, CIPA’s General Secretary.

«The pollution of agricultural soils by microplastics calls for a detailed analysis of the origin, nature and extent of the phenomenon»

International awareness of plastic pollution at sea has made it a major issue in the protection of the environment and ecosystems. If 80% of plastics at sea come from land, then it is on land that particular attention must be paid to the management of used plastics so that they do not end up in the oceans. Therefore, reducing waste at source must be a primary concern for all, industry, users and governments. The world of plasticulture is undoubtedly one of the most committed sectors, with a large number of initiatives taken in this direction. This is a fact that Plasticulture Magazine regularly reports on, and we could be satisfied with this observation. But that’s not enough.

Knowing the characteristics and origin of waste

If there is land-based pollution from agricultural plastics, we need to identify it and take the necessary corrective action. Similarly, we need to measure the impact on the environment and, first and foremost, on soil quality and agricultural production. In this respect, agri plastic community welcomes with interest the numerous studies and analyses carried out in a large number of countries, some of which are reported in Plasticulture Magazine. It is necessary that we increase and share our knowledge of the identification of the areas concerned, of the accumulation of plastics in the soil and on microplastics. To do this, the agri plastic community provides the scientific community with expertise and knowledge of the products used, the conditions of use and the management of their end-of-life in order to avoid erroneous conclusions.

For example, the spreading of urban sludge has caused considerable damage to agriculture. The plastics contained in this sludge are not of agricultural origin, and mulching should not be made to bear a responsibility it does not have. We must be vigilant about the primary or secondary source of any pollution if we want to establish a precise diagnosis for an effective search for solutions.