The Drawbacks of Using Plastic Mulch Unlike organic mulch, plastic mulch is not biodegradable. It doesn’t break down completely so it ends up in landfills. Plastic products are derived from petroleum-based materials, which are not only costly to produce but also bad for the environment.

What is plastic mulch?

Plastic mulch functions to warm the soil, conserve moisture, and prevent nutrient leaching. Clear plastic has the highest soil warming capability (8º-14º F over bare soil), but weed growth underneath can be extreme. An herbicide is necessary to keep weeds under control with clear mulch.

Does plastic mulch leach chemicals?

Third, additives have been demonstrated to leach out of plastic and affect plants; but their effects on soil microbes are unknown. Fourth, several studies have indicated that BDMs may stimulate decomposition; however, effects on nutrient biogeochemistry are largely unexplored.