AgriFlex: Human-Centred Design for Sustainable Agricultural Plastics

AgriFlex：以人为本的可持续农用塑料设计

• 批准号: 84683
• 金额: $ 8.62万
• 依托单位: AGRIFOOD X LIMITED
• 依托单位国家: 英国
• 项目类别: Feasibility Studies
• 财政年份: 2021
• 资助国家: 英国
• 起止时间: 2021 至 无数据
• 项目状态: 已结题
• 来源: https://gtr.ukri.org/projects?ref=84683
• 关键词: AgriFlex; Human; Centred; Design; Sustainable

The agricultural use of non-biodegradable oil-based plastics for applications such as weed-suppressant membranes, silage-wraps and poly-tunnels contribute to soil and water contamination by microplastics and toxic chemicals. They are persistent in the environment, which consequently affects plant growth, human and wildlife health. Globally, plastic film use on farms was expected to reach 7.4-million tonnes by 2019 and will continue to increase at \>5% annually, to meet the demands of increased food production in response to human population growth.The oil-based flexible-plastic films used in agriculture and horticulture are difficult and expensive to recycle because of contamination with soils, pesticides and fertilisers. The requirement for users to collect them from fields after use and transporting the materials to a recycling facility further impacts the soil quality and is time and energy consuming; resulting in greenhouse gas emissions that contribute to climate change. Consequently, the illegal burning of plastic films results in further environmental pollution.The replacement of current materials with safer alternatives and changes in farming practices are essential. Biodegradable bioplastic films manufactured from agri-food by-products (AFBPs) can provide a 'green' alternative, avoiding collection from farms for recycling and the associated environmental and economic impacts. The use of AFBPs reduces waste going to landfill or incineration, greenhouse gas emissions and the achievement of government targets for net-zero carbon release.The aim of the AgriFlex project is to use Human-Centred Design (HCD) methods to enhance and encourage the use of biodegradable bioplastic films for the agricultural and horticultural industry for weed-suppression and to conserve water in crop production. The project activities include:(i) Evaluation of stakeholder behaviour with respect to current agricultural mulch films;(ii) Establishing key design specifications and human-centred features to encourage uptake of novel flexible bioplastics for widespread adoption; and(iii) Evaluation of requisite performance characteristics including physical, mechanical, durability, shelf-life, end-of-life treatment.The HCD approach, combined with performance testing of prototype films, will ensure that future products meet the requirements of prospective end-users, increasing their acceptability, uptake and use. When combined with information from other stakeholders in the manufacturing, distribution and deployment of agricultural plastics, the commercial success of the films and return on investment will be strengthened significantly. This process will ensure successful progression from proof-of-concept to large-scale manufacturing necessary to meet market demand. Positive changes in end-user behaviour will also be more likely, supporting significant positive environmental benefits, protecting future food production, human and wildlife health.

农业上使用不可生物降解的油基塑料，如除草膜、青贮饲料包装和聚合物隧道，会导致微塑料和有毒化学品对土壤和水的污染。它们在环境中具有持久性，从而影响植物生长、人类和野生动物的健康。在全球范围内，到2019年，农场塑料薄膜的使用量预计将达到740万吨，并将继续以每年5%的速度增长，以满足人口增长带来的粮食产量增加的需求。农业和园艺中使用的油基柔性塑料薄膜由于受到土壤、农药和肥料的污染，回收起来困难且昂贵。要求用户在使用后从田地中收集材料并将材料运输到回收设施进一步影响土壤质量，并且耗费时间和能源;导致温室气体排放，导致气候变化。因此，非法焚烧塑料薄膜造成进一步的环境污染，必须用更安全的替代品取代现有材料，并改变耕作方法。由农业食品副产品（AFBP）制成的可生物降解的生物塑料薄膜可以提供一种“绿色”替代品，避免从农场收集用于回收以及相关的环境和经济影响。AFBPs的使用减少了垃圾填埋或焚烧的废物，减少了温室气体排放，实现了政府零碳排放的目标。AgriFlex项目的目的是使用以人为本的设计（HCD）方法，加强和鼓励在农业和园艺行业使用可生物降解的生物塑料薄膜，以抑制杂草，并在作物生产中节约用水。项目活动包括：（一）评估利益攸关方对当前农用地膜的行为;（二）确定关键设计规范和以人为本的特征，以鼓励采用新型柔性生物塑料并广泛采用;和（iii）评估所需的性能特征，包括物理、机械、耐久性、储存寿命、寿命终止处理。HCD方法与原型膜的性能测试相结合，将确保未来的产品满足预期最终用户的要求，提高其可接受性、吸收和使用。当与其他利益相关者在农业塑料的制造，分销和部署方面的信息相结合时，薄膜的商业成功和投资回报将得到显着加强。这一过程将确保从概念验证到满足市场需求所需的大规模制造的成功进展。最终用户行为的积极变化也将更有可能，支持重大的积极环境效益，保护未来的粮食生产，人类和野生动物的健康。