Mulch Matters

n this episode of the Mulch Matters Podcast, we sit down with Amanda Wong, a PhD student at UC Davis whose research focuses on microplastics in California agriculture. Amanda shares her journey from beach cleanups in Hawaii to studying how microplastics interact with soil, crops, and the broader agricultural environment. We explore what microplastics are, why they persist, and how they affect plant germination, growth, and soil health. Amanda walks us through findings from her recent review of over 50 studies, including surprising stimulatory effects at low concentrations and differences in how monocots and dicots respond. She also discusses her greenhouse experiment using realistic microplastic concentrations and explains why long‑term, standardized research is urgently needed. If you're curious about how microplastics move through agricultural systems, how they may impact food crops, and what researchers are doing to better understand these dynamics, this conversation offers clear insights and thoughtful perspectives. You can find the review paper mentioned in this episode linked in the show notes below and transcript. Follow Mulch Matters on Instagram and LinkedIn for more updates on mulch sustainability, soil health, and ongoing research. Full episode transcript  Frontiers | Plants and microplastics: Growing impacts in the terrestrial environment A Call to Action: Wong Proposes Standards for Researching Microplastic Effects on Food Crops | Department of Plant Sciences This work is supported by Specialty Crops Research Initiative Award 2022-51181-38325 from the USDA National Institute of Food and Agriculture. Any opinions, findings, conclusions, or recommendations expressed on this podcast are those of the author(s) and do not necessarily reflect the view of the U.S. Department of Agriculture. Note: Intro and outro music credit to Zakhar Valaha from Pixabay, By armack Other sound effects and background audio were sourced from Descript's media stock library. AI assistance was used   

In this episode of Mulch Matters, host Dr. Nataliya Shcherbatyuk talks with Kevin Morris, a PhD student in the School of Economic Sciences at Washington State University, whose research focuses on consumer willingness to pay for sustainably produced strawberries. Kevin shares how he became involved in the project, why willingness‑to‑pay studies matter for growers, and how economic tools can help estimate demand for products that don't yet exist on the market. Together, they explore why strawberry production is uniquely positioned for sustainable innovation, the challenges of recycling contaminated agricultural mulch films, and how consumer preferences can influence grower decisions. Kevin breaks down the double‑bounded bidding method used in his study, explains what it means when more than 60% of respondents accept both bids, and discusses how credible eco‑labeling could help translate consumer interest into real industry change. He also reflects on the broader implications for policymakers and growers—highlighting how financial incentives, clear communication, and reliable labeling could accelerate adoption of biodegradable mulches and advanced recycling technologies. This episode offers an accessible and insightful look at how economics can help drive sustainability in specialty crop production. Note: This work is supported by Specialty Crops Research Initiative Award 2022-51181-38325 from the USDA National Institute of Food and Agriculture. Any opinions, findings, conclusions, or recommendations expressed on this podcast are those of the author(s) and do not necessarily reflect the view of the U.S. Department of Agriculture. Intro and outro music credit to Zakhar Valaha from Pixabay

In this episode of Mulch Matters, host Dr. Nataliya Shcherbatyuk sits down with Gene Jones, Executive Director of the Southern Waste Information Exchange, to unpack more than four decades of experience in waste management and agricultural plastics. Gene shares how he became involved in mulch film recycling, the challenges posed by soil‑contaminated polyethylene films, and why mechanization in mulch removal remains slow to adopt across farming systems. Together, they explore the environmental implications of open‑field burning, the surprising levels of soil and moisture contamination found in mulch film, and the engineering innovations—from mechanical extractors to shredding technologies—that could reshape how agricultural plastics are handled. Gene also discusses realistic end‑market opportunities for recycled mulch film, including pyrolysis, cement kiln fuel, and asphalt modification, and offers his perspective on policy changes that could accelerate progress in the United States. This episode provides a candid, technical, and forward‑looking conversation about the future of mulch film recycling—and why solving this challenge matters for growers, industry, and the environment. Note: Intro and outro music credit to Zakhar Valaha from Pixabay

In this episode of Mulch Matters, host Dr. Nataliya Shcherbatyuk sits down with Dr. Karl Englund (Washington State University) and Dr. Kun Zhang (California State University, Chico) to explore one of the most challenging—and promising—topics in agricultural sustainability: recycling plastic mulch. Karl and Kun share how their backgrounds in recycled plastics, composites, and asphalt engineering led them into this interdisciplinary project. Together, they unpack the realities of contamination, soil adhesion, fumigant residues, and the complex logistics of collecting agricultural plastics. As Karl notes, "the contamination of the soil is probably the biggie" and Kun highlights that "plastic mulch recycling in asphalt is a technically sound solution." Listeners will learn: Why agricultural plastics are harder to recycle than post‑consumer plastics How asphalt pavement can serve as a value‑added recycling pathway How soil type, contamination levels, and rheology affect recyclability What future technologies may reshape plastic mulch end‑of‑life management This episode offers a rare behind‑the‑scenes look at the science, engineering, and collaboration driving new solutions for agricultural plastic waste. This work is supported by Specialty Crops Research Initiative Award 2022-51181-38325 from the USDA National Institute of Food and Agriculture. Any opinions, findings, conclusions, or recommendations expressed on this podcast are those of the author(s) and do not necessarily reflect the view of the U.S. Department of Agriculture. Intro and outro music credit to Zakhar Valaha from Pixabay  

    In this episode of Mulch Matters, host Dr. Nataliya Shcherbatyuk sits down with Cynthia Bosibori Sigira, a PhD researcher at NC State University, to explore the rapidly evolving world of agricultural plastic mulch and its end‑of‑life challenges. Cynthia shares her journey from studying environmental engineering in Kenya to researching sustainable recycling pathways for plastic mulch in U.S. agriculture. She explains why plastic mulch use has surged—highlighting that it can lead to "up to 60% increased crop yields" —while also unpacking the environmental risks of current disposal practices like burning, burying, and landfilling. A major focus of the conversation is Cynthia's work on pyrolysis, which she describes using a memorable analogy: "imagine cooking something using a slow cooker" . She discusses how real‑world conditions—UV exposure, soil contamination, additives—affect pyrolysis outcomes and why these films are so challenging to recycle. Cynthia also dives into the promise of catalytic pyrolysis, the hurdles to scaling it, and what a truly circular system for agricultural plastics could look like. Whether you're a grower, researcher, policymaker, or sustainability enthusiast, this episode offers a clear, insightful look at the science, challenges, and future of mulch film recycling. This work is supported by Specialty Crops Research Initiative Award 2022-51181-38325 from the USDA National Institute of Food and Agriculture. Any opinions, findings, conclusions, or recommendations expressed on this podcast are those of the author(s) and do not necessarily reflect the view of the U.S. Department of Agriculture. Intro and outro music credit to Zakhar Valaha from Pixabay