The Farming Shift: Paper Mulch vs. Plastic

Biodegradable paper mulch boosts profits and cuts plastic. Organic growers and eco-conscious buyers are driving a farming transformation.

16 Jun 2025

Organic farms across the Midwest are testing a simple idea with big implications: replace plastic mulch with biodegradable paper. Early results suggest it could change not just how berries are grown, but how they're sold.

A study in Minnesota and Wisconsin compared paper mulch with three types of plastic on day-neutral strawberries, a cornerstone crop for organic growers. Paper cost more and required closer management, but it held steady through the season and decomposed naturally. That spared farmers the time and expense of hauling off plastic waste.

The financial twist came at the market. Farms selling directly to shoppers at farmers markets or through CSA boxes found customers were willing to pay more for berries grown without plastic. "Buyers are drawn to cleaner farming methods," a researcher explained. "When growers share their efforts to cut waste, people respond."

The push arrives amid growing alarm over plastic pollution in agriculture. Regulators are taking note, and consumers are pressing for alternatives. Paper mulch checks both boxes: it fits organic standards and supports sustainability without hurting yields.

Backed by the University of Minnesota and Wisconsin field stations, the trial is already spurring interest from biodegradable product makers, who are scaling up production. Farmers, meanwhile, are testing strategies to make the material more resilient against harsh weather.

It's not without hurdles, but the momentum is clear. What began as an experiment is fast becoming a business calculation. For many organic growers, trading plastic for paper may soon feel less like a choice and more like the future.