Mulch Matters

Nataliya Shcherbatyuk
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We are here to update you on the latest research about BDM and recycling options PE mulch as well as help you to answer any questions you might have. In each episode, we'll dive into the latest research, trends, news, and insights on why mulch matters and how we can improve plastic mulch end-of-life options. We'll also branch out and discuss other plastics as well as talk to researchers, experts, and practitioners in the field who will share their insights and experiences on how to use mulch effectively in different settings.

  1. Oct 28

    Microplastics Through the Eyes of a Passionate Scientist: Amanda Wong

    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

  2. Sep 28

    Willingness to Pay: Kevin Morris on Consumer Demand for Sustainable Strawberries

    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

  3. Aug 28

    Inside the Mulch Film Challenge: A Deep Dive with Waste Expert Gene Jones

    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

  4. Jul 27

    Turning recovered plastic mulch into opportunities for asphalt

    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

  5. Jun 29

    Turning Plastic Mulch into Opportunity: Cynthia Sigira on Pyrolysis, Recycling Challenges & Circular Solutions

    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

  6. May 29

    From Cradle to Grave: Life Cycle Insights from California's Strawberry Fields

    What really happens to mulch films after they're used—and which options are truly sustainable? In this episode, PhD candidate Oluwatunmise Dada joins us to break down the full cradle‑to‑grave life cycle of biodegradable and polyethylene mulches in California's strawberry systems. We explore: • How PBAT, PLA, and TPS mulch formulations differ • Why soil biodegradation consistently outperforms other end‑of‑life pathways • The hidden environmental costs of landfilling PE mulch • What sensitivity analysis reveals about degradation rates and transport distances • Key limitations in current LCA methods for soil‑biodegradable materials • Practical takeaways for growers deciding whether to adopt BDMs Dada also shares what excites him most about the future of sustainable materials in agriculture, and what's next as he approaches the finish line of his PhD journey. If you're a grower, researcher, or anyone curious about the future of mulch sustainability, this episode offers clear, science‑based insights you won't want to miss.   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

  7. Apr 30

    Biodegradable Mulch in Florida Strawberries: Research, Challenges, and Opportunities

    In this episode, host Dr. Nataliya Shcherbatyuk sits down with Hadi Ghasemi, a Florida-based researcher, to explore how biodegradable plastic mulches (BDMs) are performing in real-world strawberry production systems. Together, they discuss the promise and limitations of BDMs compared to conventional polyethylene mulch, insights from Florida field trials, and how environmental conditions like moisture, wind, and temperature influence mulch performance. The conversation also connects mulch technology with plant physiology, including photosynthesis, light reflection, and canopy microclimate—highlighting how these factors can impact yield and sustainability. This episode offers valuable takeaways for growers, researchers, students, and anyone interested in sustainable horticulture, including how research can directly inform day-to-day production decisions and long-term environmental outcomes. Tune in to learn: How BDMs compare to PE mulch in strawberry systems Key agronomic and environmental factors shaping mulch performance Why plant physiology matters when choosing mulch materials Practical insights for improving sustainability in specialty crop production Note: Intro and outro music credit to Zakhar Valaha from Pixabay

  8. Mar 31

    Understanding Biodegradable Mulches, Microbes and Isotopes with Sean Schaeffer and Jacob Clements

    In this episode of Mulch Matters, host Dr. Nataliya Shcherbatyuk sits down with University of Tennessee researchers Dr. Sean Schaeffer and Jacob Clements to explore the unseen world beneath our feet, where biodegradable mulches, soil microbes, and even carbon isotopes reveal surprising stories. Together, they break down what happens to soil‑biodegradable mulches (BDMs) once they enter the soil, how microbes physically and chemically transform plastic into smaller fragments, and why climate factors like temperature, moisture, and soil texture play such a big role in decomposition. Jacob offers an inside look at his cutting‑edge use of carbon‑13 and carbon‑14 isotope tracing, explaining how these tools help scientists pinpoint exactly where mulch‑derived carbon ends up and which microbes are doing the work. The conversation also addresses farmers' biggest concerns when switching from polyethylene mulch to BDMs—including cost, aesthetics, degradation rate, and soil health impacts. Sean and Jacob share new findings from multi‑state research in Washington, Florida, Nebraska, California, and beyond, highlighting where BDMs break down fastest and why. Finally, the episode explores the policy gaps surrounding biodegradable mulches in the U.S., what definitions and standards are still missing, and how future regulations could encourage more sustainable agricultural practices. If you're curious about plastic pollution, soil health, microbial ecology, or the future of sustainable farming, this episode offers a clear and fascinating deep dive into the science shaping tomorrow's mulch technologies.   Note: intro and outro music credit to Zakhar Valaha from Pixabay https://pixabay.com/music/introoutro-motivational-ident-main-9923/

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We are here to update you on the latest research about BDM and recycling options PE mulch as well as help you to answer any questions you might have. In each episode, we'll dive into the latest research, trends, news, and insights on why mulch matters and how we can improve plastic mulch end-of-life options. We'll also branch out and discuss other plastics as well as talk to researchers, experts, and practitioners in the field who will share their insights and experiences on how to use mulch effectively in different settings.

Information

  • Creator
    Nataliya Shcherbatyuk
  • Years Active
    2023 - 2026
  • Episodes
    36
  • Rating
    Clean
  • Copyright
    © 2023
  • Show Website
    Mulch Matters