Fig. 3: Collectability and duration of use of plastics in agriculture.

Collectability after use and duration of use. For plastics that can be collected in their entirety (i.e., complete collectability after use), priority should be given to reuse and recycling. Innovation in the material design must be geared towards complete collectability, recyclability, and reuse. Plastics that cannot be collected in their entirety after use should be fully biodegradable, e.g., seed coatings, slow-release fertilizers, and thin (<20–25 µm) mulch films. Material design must be geared towards ensuring sufficient stability of the plastics during use, while allowing for biodegradability after use.