Disposal of Waste Plastic Films

Degradable plastic mulches with relatively precise degradation rates have only recently become available. In the past, rapid breakdown was a major problem. Now there are a number of formulations that have a breakdown period suitable for vegetable production in Georgia. New types of plastic mulch are continuously being developed and evaluated by many companies and researchers [56-59]. Low-density polyethylene is generally used in the manufacture of mulch films. 

Photodegradable PE films have been made by incorporating varying concentration of certain metal organocomplex, for example, ferric dialkyl dithio carbamate, which acts initially as a UV stabihzer, and then becomes a catalytic activator of photodegradation [48]. 

Silage films are used primarily to preserve silage and maize. They maintain the nutritional value of the contents and inhibit undesirable fermentation processes. Traditional silage films can be mono- or co-extruded, range from 100 to 200 p,m, and are normally pigmented (black or white). In the case of bale wrapping for round or square bales, films are normally very thin (10-25 p,m), applied in multiple layers and pigmented (mainly black or white). 

Disposal of plastic films used for greenhouses, mulches, and silage bale wrapping do have some associated problems. Farmers dispose of these plastics through one of the two methods on-site land filling and burning. 

A combination of efforts from different sectors of film producers, farmers, and municipalities will be needed to resolve this problem [60, 61]. The various solutions to curtail the problems of plastic film waste disposal include  

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