J. Farias-Larios¹, J.G. López-Aguirre¹, D. Sandoval¹, M. Orozco-Santos¹ and L. Ibarra-Jimenez^2
1 Universidad de Colima. Facultad de Ciencias Biológicas y Agropecuarias,
Apartado postal 36. Km. 240 Carretera Jiquilpan-Manzanillo,.28100 Tecomán, Colima
²Departamento de Plásticos, Centro de Investigación en Química Aplicada, Saltillo, Coahuila, México

Abstract: An increase in the use of agricultural plastics stems from a variety of factors, such as increasing demand for efficiency in livestock agriculture and increasing public demand for food safety, and can be expected to continue its pace (1). However, when plastics are used, the problem is what the farmers should do to disposal them from the field. Expensive disposal and difficult recycling because of a high soiling lead to the limits of agricultural economy and the some environmental problems. Currently, there are only limited options for reusing plastics films (2).

In Western Mexico, the use of mulches has become an accepted method for production for several vegetable crops (3). During last years the estimation of use of polyethylene mulch by farmers is approximately 1000 tons annually. Several farmers of Colima State in Western Mexico have resorted to burning or burying their used plastic on-site. This practice is not only illegal in Western Mexico, it can release pollutants into air and water and create conflict with non-farming neighbors. Sometimes, burn of these materials causes fire in non-cultivated area.

Most of the plastics used in horticultural production are by high levels of pesticides (4), by this situation many recyclers and resource recovery facilities are reluctant to use agricultural plastics (5).

Disposal of these agricultural films can be a problem for farmers because of they do not have a special place to keep these plastics, into or out of the farm. In Western Mexico do not exist a complete study about what is the process to eliminate the plastics by farmers after crop season. The University of Colima and the Unión Agrícola Regional de Productores de Hortalizas were interested in both investigating recycling opportunities and encouraging proper disposal methods through implementing agricultural plastics collection pilot.

This first study report results on the activities of farmers to elimination of agricultural films. It is intended to assist agencies and individuals in other regions interested in pursuing horticultural plastic recycling.

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