Can Green Plastics Rewrite the Future of Farming?

Eco-savvy buyers and new rules fuel a surge in compostable agri films, reshaping US farming plastics.

19 May 2025

Across America's farmlands, plastic is getting a makeover. Compostable and recyclable films, once a niche option, are moving into the spotlight as growers, buyers, and regulators push for greener ways to protect crops.

The message driving the shift is simple: sustainability sells. More than half of U.S. shoppers now prefer produce in eco-friendly packaging, many willing to pay extra for it. That preference is reshaping supply chains, with produce buyers pressing growers to switch to recyclable mulch and compostable greenhouse covers.

Big packaging players are racing to meet the moment. Berry Global's Silotite Film-and-Film bale wrap, made from single-material polyethylene, cuts out traditional netting and makes recycling easier. Plastika Kritis, meanwhile, has rolled out a recyclable greenhouse film in the U.S. that boosts crop yield while reducing waste.

Momentum is also getting a lift from corporate consolidation. The merger of Berry Global and Amcor has created a packaging giant now funneling major resources into sustainable agri films built for both performance and lower environmental impact.

Local efforts mirror these broader moves. In California, a Sea Grant-backed project aims to recycle nearly two million pounds of used strawberry mulch film in 2025, offering a test case for nationwide recovery programs.

Challenges remain. Compostable films must prove durable across varied climates, and higher costs can slow adoption. But the direction is hard to miss: regulation, market demand, and innovation are converging to push greener plastics into the mainstream.

"Sustainability isn't optional anymore. It's the baseline," says one industry analyst. "We're seeing a full market reset."

For the companies investing now, the bet is clear. Compostable films are no longer a side project. They are the future of farming materials.