Agricultural plastic pollution in China: Sources, supply chain drivers, and mitigation strategies

Plastic pollution from agricultural production poses discernible risks to food security and safety. This work endeavors to address the gap of quantification and traceability of agricultural plastic pollution by estimating plastic loss associated with diverse farm activities and explore potential mitigation strategies. Results revealed that annual agricultural plastic pollution in China amounted to 570 kt. The main sources of the pollution were identified as the use of mulching film in agriculture production, farming practices employed for vegetable and fruit production, and the geographical distribution of agricultural activities, particularly in provinces of Xinjiang and Shandong in China. From a production perspective, thicker agricultural film substitution proved a more cost-effective mitigation than biodegradable alternatives for most provinces. Applying a nested multiregional input-output model, interprovincial and international final demand drivers of pollution were identified primarily from eastern China, the United States, and Japan. At the provincial level, the most significant sectoral driving force of provincial agricultural plastic pollution is primary agricultural products, followed by processed foods and textile-related products. The study highlights the imperatives for more inclusive plastic pollution monitoring and comprehensive consumption behavior guidance for sustainable agriculture.