UK case study: Agricultural plastics in farms across Nottinghamshire and the SW region of England

Responsible partner(s): Countryside & Community Research Institute, University of Gloucestershire Contact person: Julie Ingram; jingram@glos.ac.uk Biogeographical type: Atlantic Region, temperate weather Area description, history and existing data: Nottinghamshire sites are arable (cereals, OSR, sugar beet) with high value carrots grown every 8-10 years. The SW location has small organic horticultural enterprises

Farm # Main crop per field (Cropping system category) Soil texture Plastic use history (intentional) Secondary sources of plastic Other potential contaminants
1. (Conv-)1. Cereals, sugar beet
2. Carrots, parsnips
SandyMulchCompostTwine, litter
2. (Conv-)1. Wheat, sugar beet
2. Carrots, parsnips
SandyMulchCompostTwine, mitter
3. (Conv-)1. Cereals, sugar beet
2. Carrots, parsnips
SandyMulchCompostTwine, litter
4. (Org-)1. Cereals
2. brassicas, leeks
PeatyFleeceFYMTwine, litter
5. (Conv-)1. Cereals
2. Carrots, parsnips
SandyMulchCompostTwine, litter
6. (Conv-)1. Cereals, sugar beet
2. Carrots, parsnips
SandyMulchCompost, sludgeTwine, litter
7. (Org-)1. 5-6 year rotational vegetablesloamPolytunnelsGreen wasteTwine, litter
8. (Org-)1. 5-6 year rotational vegetables loamMulchCompost, FYMTwine, litter
9. (Conv-)1.Cereals, sugar beet
2. Carrots, parsnips
SandyMulchCompostTwine, litter, labels
10. ( Org-)1. 5-6 year rotational veg loamMulch, PolytunnelGreen waste compostTwine, litter, labels

Main challenges encountered: Different size fields to apply protocol to, history of field management, municipal compost containing large plastic fragments: from left to right, Squash in Mypex (image #1), Leeks and Mulch (image #2), Black plastic Mulch under straw (image #3)


Stakeholders: National Farmers Union (NFU), cooperatives, Environment Agency, Recycling companies (Farm XS) and schemes (FWAG, APE UK), plastic supplier (Polystar, LBS), advisers, TIAH

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