The use of plastic in the agricultural sector represents a topic on which it is now inevitable to reflect, so as to mitigate its effects and repercussions on the environment. According to a FAO report dating back to 2021, between greenhouse covers and mulching nets, over 12.5 million tonnes of plastic are used every year in the world, approximately 3.5% of the 359 million tonnes of plastic consumed annually in all sectors. In Europe consumption stands at around 700 thousand tonnes. For these films, which are indispensable in both horticulture and animal husbandry, global demand is expected to grow by 50%, estimated to reach 9.5 million tonnes in 2030.
Developing innovative solutions for the recycling and recovery of agricultural plastic becomes decisive. This is precisely the objective of Water Way Plastic Free, an agreement between Anbi Toscana, Anbi Emilia-Romagna, Consorzio Cer-Canale Emiliano Romagnolo and Consorzio di Bonifica 6 Toscana Sud, based on an Acqua Campus project, which aims to promote recycling and the recovery of plastic used in agriculture. The four bodies involved have signed an interregional convention to raise awareness against the abandonment of plastic in the environment. To reach the “targets” it is necessary to convince professionals to promote the adoption of materials, strategies and good agronomic practices, encouraging where possible the use of innovative products such as bioplastics, which have properties similar to “traditional” plastics, but derived from renewable, biodegradable and compostable raw materials.
«Bioplastic is a material that could allow us to obtain important results while respecting the environment; this agreement can help us create a new model and we hope that local companies will also understand its importance” highlights Fabio Bellacchi, President of the Consorzio di Bonifica 6 Toscana Sud. “The Water Way Plastic Free project proposes a different cultural approach, encouraging the use of new agronomic practices, encouraging the recycling of plastic and the use of organic plastic. It addresses farmers as the primary custodians of the ecosystem. Everyone must do their part: the consortium bodies are doing so, for example, by adopting the criteria of gentle maintenance of waterways and thus making the times of human intervention compatible with the rhythms of nature. For this reason I have no doubt that the Water Way Plastic Free experience will soon become an interesting project for the entire peninsula” comments Francesco Vincenzi, president of the Anbi.
«From today, the consortium world of Emilia-Romagna and Tuscany will effectively face the environmental battle to fight plastic, thanks to the adoption of innovative and high-performance approaches, based on bioeconomy and circular economy in the agricultural sector – concludes Nicola Dalmonte, president of the Emilia-Romagna Canal Consortium -. We are determined to win this challenge, certain that the benefits will be multiple not only for farmers, but for the entire community.”
