More Info on Biodegradable Mulch & Organics

Jennifer Duffield White

You might remember that last fall the USDA organic regulations were amended to allow organic growers to use biodegradable, bio-based mulch film. Well, there were a lot of questions about what constituted “bio-based,” so the USDA just released a memo clarifying their bio-based requirements.

In short, all of the polymer feedstocks for a biodegradable bio-based mulch film must be bio-based (i.e., composed of biological products or renewable agricultural or forestry materials). Biodegradable mulch film that contain synthetic polymer feedstocks, such as petrochemical resins, does not comply with the USDA organic regulations.

You can read the full memo at www.ams.usda.gov/AMSv1.0/getfile?dDocName=STELPRDC5110230. GT