Submitted to: Land
Publication Type: Peer Reviewed Journal
Publication Acceptance Date: 6/29/2025
Publication Date: 7/1/2025
Citation: Lamm, A.J., Owen Jr, J.S., Altland, J.E., White, S.A. 2025. A survey analysis comparing perceptions of plastic use in nurseries and greenhouses in the United States. Land. 14. Article 1383. https://doi.org/10.3390/land14071383.
DOI: https://doi.org/10.3390/land14071383

Interpretive Summary: Most specialty crops, accounting for $13.8 B USD in annual United States (U.S.) sales, are first produced in a container before planting. Nursery and greenhouse growers rely heavily on plastic to produce plants. Materials used include but are not limited to, consumables wrapped in plastic prior to use, containers, ground and structural coverings, plumbing and irrigation, stakes and ties, labels, and fertilizer that can be encapsulated in plastic. Concurrently, there is increasing concern for emerging contaminants that include plastics and their ubiquitous byproducts, specifically microplastics and per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS). Communication between those within the scientific community studying water contaminant issues and those working in the nursery and greenhouse industry must be clear and concise, offering positive, solution-based, and action-driven ideas that enable adoption of solutions that address the concern long-term. The goals of this research were to identify both nursery and greenhouse growers’ and direct or adjacent scientists working on water quality issues 1) perceptions of plastic use and its impact on water quality, 2) potential barriers that may impact the reduction of plastic use in nurseries and greenhouses, and 3) the best ways for scientists and nursery and greenhouse growers to communicate about new research impacting water quality issues like plastics. The results indicated scientists and growers were unsure of the impacts of plastic use on water quality. However, over half of the grower respondents either somewhat or strongly agreed water contamination from plastic use is a serious problem. In addition, 59% of the scientists either somewhat or strongly agreed reducing plastic use on-farm will improve water quality off-farm. The results implied more research is needed to identify the impacts of plastics on water quality at the farm and surrounding ecosystem. Both scientists and those they serve perceived the ramifications of plastic use as an unknown. Most effective communication methods identified included the development of 1) a regularly updated website, 2) short courses and 3) workshops offered alongside a larger seminar or conference.

Technical Abstract: The amount of plastic and fresh water used by the nursery and greenhouse industries has led to concerns about the presence of water contaminants, such as microplastics and per- and poly-fluoroalkyl substances (PFAS), in water and edible crops. Yet, communication between the scientific community studying water contaminants and those in the industry is lacking. An online survey was used to explore perceptions related to plastic use on-farm, its impact on water resources, and how the two groups can most effectively communicate. The findings indicated scientists and growers were unsure of the impacts of plastic use on water quality. However, over half of the grower respondents either somewhat or strongly agreed water contamination from plastic use is a serious problem. In addition, 59% of the scientists either somewhat or strongly agreed reducing plastic use on-farm will improve water quality off-farm. The results implied more research is needed to identify the impacts of plastics on water quality at the farm and surrounding ecosystem. Both scientists and those they serve perceived the ramifications of plastic use as an unknown. An opportunity for scientists and growers to work collectively on future research exists and would ensure proactive communication between the two groups bringing greater awareness to the threat of plastic contaminants. Most effective communication methods identified included the development of 1) a regularly updated website, 2) short courses and 3) workshops offered alongside a larger seminar or conference.