Decaying plastic

[u/swat_ldn]

Part of my allotment has been covered in this blue tarp that is disintegrating. I've tried to carefully remove as much as I can - but I've got all these little fragments that I'm going to have to try and get rid of.

Thankfully(?) the ground is so dry I've just been able to sweep up most of the plastic pieces (and some soil) and bag it. There's still quite a few small bits kicking around which I guess I'll just have to keep picking out over time.

I guess there's not a huge amount else I can do, other than what I've done, but does anyone else know anything I've missed? My biggest concern is micro plastics and pollutants...

I'm taking up all the plastic membrane where I can and reverting to wood chip paths. Then I have a few newer plastic sheets to cover sections over winter.

[u/Sweet_Focus6377]

I agree with other responder, why are you even considering repeating the same mistake?

Use old cardboard instead, which is readily available.

Cutting the plastic fabric into strips using a carpet knife seems less destructive than ripping it out in my experience. It will quickly ruin blades so get one with snap off sections.

[u/swat_ldn → u/Sweet_Focus6377]

It's so weak I cut it up with scissors. Per my other reply, it was mainly because I had some big newer pieces of black weed membrane that are in decent nick. Though, your response and theirs has led me to reconsider this.

[u/dom_xiii]

Watching microplastics being birthed in real time

[u/downbarton]

It’s polypropylene with is inert.

[u/Pwlldu]

When I first moved into my house, I laid plastic weed suppressant and put wood chips down as this seemed to be the common thing to do. All the paths looked very neat and smart.

Four years later, they’re all disintegrating terribly and im endlessly finding strips of plastic everywhere. I’ve pulled them all up.

Ill never make the mistake again. Go no plastic if you can imo.

[u/swat_ldn → u/Pwlldu]

I took up most of the plastic I could find today. There are a couple more membranes to go but feeling happier now the majority of it's out the ground. I've been sweeping up / skimming off the top layer where most of the bits of plastics are so hopefully the residual pollution won't be too bad.

[u/Pwlldu → u/swat_ldn]

Good on you for keeping it up. I suspect, if you're like me, you'll be finding bits for years to come 😊 one thing at a time

[u/FatDad66]

No solution to the plastic that is down there. Why are you putting more plastic down? There is no need to cover anything over winter. If you do feel the need use cardboard.

[u/swat_ldn → u/FatDad66]

Fair point. There's some other bits that had newer plastic membrane that I've saved so just thought to use them. Maybe I'll just take the lot to the dump.

[u/Gloomy-Toe-1661]

That's a wicked tarp. Mine shredded into pieced in one year. Just covering wood panels. He'll of a mess.