Over the last decade, the additional environmental, social and economic price paid for the convenience of plastic products has become increasingly evident. Photographs of plastic waste on beaches, plastic material in the stomachs of dead seabirds and whales, and turtles and seals choking on plastic have become familiar. However, there is a less well-known site for the accumulation of plastics – agricultural soil.
This working paper is an initial assessment of the potential impact of plastics used in agriculture. The paper focuses primarily on identifying sources of plastics and examining the fate of plastic residue in agricultural soil. It is expected to be the first in a series, which will also explore the movement of agricultural plastics from source to sea. The aim of the series is to increase knowledge and awareness and to invite discussion and action among relevant stakeholders to reduce plastic contamination of soil and the movement of agricultural plastics into the broader environment.