In the heart of Ontario’s thriving greenhouse agriculture sector, a new study is making waves, offering a promising solution to the environmental challenges posed by conventional greenhouse cover materials. Published in *Cleaner Environmental Systems*, the research, led by Yusra Hasan from the University of Guelph’s School of Engineering and the Bioproducts Discovery and Development Centre, presents a comprehensive life cycle assessment (LCA) of a compostable greenhouse film composed of 85% poly (butylene adipate-co-terephthalate) (PBAT) and 15% talc.
The study, which adheres to the key standards of ISO 14040:2006 and 14044:2006, employs the Ecoinvent database within SimaPro software to conduct an environmental LCA per functional unit of 1 kg of PBAT-talc film. By coupling primary and secondary inventory data, the research identifies key hotspots in the preparation, blown film, and composting stages, offering valuable insights into the environmental impacts of this innovative material.
“By incorporating sustainable energy mixes and biobased components of PBAT instead of petroleum-based compounds, we were able to significantly reduce the leading normalized categories of carcinogenic and ecotoxicity impacts,” explains Hasan. This finding is particularly noteworthy, as it highlights the potential for PBAT-talc film to outperform conventional, non-biodegradable plastics in terms of sustainability.
The commercial implications for the agriculture sector are substantial. As the demand for environmentally friendly practices grows, greenhouse operators are increasingly seeking cover materials with minimal environmental impacts. This study demonstrates that PBAT-talc film is a viable and sustainable option, aligning with global and national initiatives aimed at promoting sustainability in the agriculture sector.
Moreover, the research offers additional recommendations to further improve these outcomes, paving the way for future developments in the field. “Our study addresses Ontario’s greenhouse cover sustainability in the agriculture sector, but the findings have broader implications,” says Hasan. “By adopting similar practices, other regions can also enhance the sustainability of their greenhouse agriculture sectors.”
The study, led by Yusra Hasan from the School of Engineering at the University of Guelph and the Bioproducts Discovery and Development Centre, was published in *Cleaner Environmental Systems*. As the agriculture sector continues to evolve, this research provides a crucial step forward in the quest for sustainable and environmentally friendly practices.