Plastic in soil

(Question)

Is like to know about plastic labels in the soil. I know they leach into the soil, but what does it do to the soil and plants. Do the plants absorb it? And in turn are we ingesting microplastics? There’s evidence micro plastics are blood and lungs, so am curious about those non eco-friendly plastic labels. Thanks.

(Answer)

Hello Cindy,

Certainly the accumulation of plastic wastes is increasing in marine and terrestrial ecosystems. Plastics are released into the environment in different sizes, ranging from macroscale to nanoscale.

Landscape Ontario identifies the various plastic types used in the horticultural industry:

RECYCLING CODES, PLASTIC TYPES, AND EXAMPLES FROM THE HORTICULTURAL INDUSTRY

RECYCLING CODE PLASTIC TYPE COMMON HORTICULTURAL USES
#1 Polyethylene Terephthalate (PET) Clear plastic used for water bottles.
#2 High-Destiny Polyethylene (HDPE) Flexible, rigid plastic used to make nursery containers, irrigation tubing, and pesticide containers.
#4 Low-Density Polyethylene (LDPE) Horticultural films, greenhouse covering material, synthetic mulch film, and pond liner.
#5 Polypropylene (PP) A rigid, brittle plastic for smaller nursery pots and large, woven, bulk, tote bags.
#6 High Impact Polystyrene (HIPS) Plant flats, plugs, liner, and carrier trays.

Alternatives to plastic plant labels:

  1. Popsicle sticks…quite simple but they are not reusable
  2. Wine Corks. Grab a permanent marker and write directly onto the cork. …
  3. Pebbles/rocks. Use a permanent marker and write directly onto the pebble.
  4. Upcycle /use broken terracotta or ceramic pot fragments …write directly on in permanent marker.
  5. Slate labels are expensive but attractive and blackboard paint is effective  on this material
  6. Metal labels/copper or aluminum.

Thank you for your question.