Agricultural non-woven fabrics are widely used in agricultural production. They can be used for crop cover and insulation, insect and bird protection, and as packaging for agricultural product transportation, providing strong support for increased agricultural production and income. However, as the use of agricultural non-woven fabrics continues to rise, the large amount of discarded non-woven fabrics has also posed a serious environmental problem. These difficult-to-degrade waste materials, left to accumulate in fields or landfills, not only damage soil structure and hinder crop growth, but also cause serious white pollution. However, an innovative circular economy model is now changing this situation: discarded agricultural non-woven fabrics, through a series of treatments, are transformed into practical seedling pots, injecting new vitality into the green development of agriculture.
The “Rebirth” of Discarded Agricultural Non-woven Fabrics
Transforming discarded agricultural non-woven fabrics into seedling pots is not a simple process of cutting and splicing; it involves a rigorous scientific and rigorous processing process. First, the recycled agricultural non-woven fabrics are sorted and screened to remove impurities such as mud, weeds, and metal fragments to ensure the purity of the raw materials. Next, the screened non-woven fabric is shredded in specialized equipment, breaking it down into fine fiber particles. These fiber particles are then mixed with an environmentally friendly adhesive in a specific ratio to create a uniform raw material mixture.
The raw material mixture is then placed in molds and, through high-temperature pressing and shaping processes, is formed into seedling pot embryos of varying sizes and shapes. Finally, the embryos undergo trimming, polishing, and disinfection to ensure a smooth surface, a stable structure, and compliance with agricultural hygiene standards. The entire production process utilizes environmentally friendly techniques, generating no harmful waste gases, wastewater, or residue, truly achieving clean and high-value utilization of waste resources.
Multiple Advantages of Non-Woven Recycled Seedling Pots
(I) Outstanding Environmental Performance
Compared to traditional plastic seedling pots, the greatest advantage of non-woven recycled seedling pots lies in their exceptional environmental performance. Traditional plastic seedling pots are primarily made of petroleum-based materials such as polyethylene, which are difficult to degrade in the natural environment and pose a long-term environmental pollution risk upon disposal. Non-woven recycled seedling pots are made from discarded agricultural non-woven fabrics, which in turn recycles waste and reduces white pollution. More importantly, even if these pots are discarded in the soil after use, they will naturally decompose into harmless substances over time, without negatively impacting the soil and the ecological environment. This truly embodies the principle of “from agriculture, back to agriculture.”
(II) Adapting to Agricultural Production Needs
In agricultural production applications, the performance of non-woven recycled seedling pots fully meets the needs of seedling cultivation. Their excellent air and water permeability provide sufficient oxygen and a suitable moisture environment for the growing roots of seedlings, effectively avoiding the root rot caused by the poor air permeability of traditional plastic seedling pots. Furthermore, non-woven recycled seedling pots possess a certain strength and toughness, making them less susceptible to damage during handling and transportation, effectively protecting the seedlings. Furthermore, the soft material of the seedling pots allows them to be directly buried in the soil without having to remove the seedlings from the pots when they reach a suitable stage for transplanting. This reduces root damage during transplanting and increases the survival rate.
(III) Reducing Agricultural Production Costs
For farmers, non-woven recycled seedling pots can significantly reduce agricultural production costs. Firstly, the low recycling cost of discarded agricultural non-woven fabrics and the high raw material utilization rate during production make the production cost of non-woven recycled seedling pots far lower than traditional plastic seedling pots and some new environmentally friendly seedling pots. Secondly, the use of non-woven recycled seedling pots can increase seedling survival rates and reduce the cost and time associated with replanting due to seedling death. In the long term, promoting the use of non-woven recycled seedling pots can save farmers significant agricultural expenses and improve the economic benefits of agricultural production.
Successful Cases: Effective Practices in Multiple Locations
Currently, many regions in China have begun promoting the use of discarded agricultural non-woven recycled seedling pots, with promising results. At a vegetable planting base in Shandong, a local agricultural cooperative partnered with an environmental protection company to establish a recycling and processing line for discarded agricultural non-woven fabrics. This recycling process uses discarded non-woven fabrics from the base and surrounding farmers, turning them into seedling pots for growing vegetable seedlings. Seedlings of vegetables like tomatoes and cucumbers grown in these recycled non-woven pots have been shown to have more developed root systems, with a 15%-20% higher transplant survival rate than those grown in traditional plastic pots. Furthermore, the amount of white pollution in the soil has been significantly reduced.
At a nursery in Henan, workers are also using recycled non-woven pots to grow fruit tree seedlings. The pots’ excellent air permeability accelerates seedling growth, shortening the seedling raising cycle by 10-15 days and reducing water consumption. Local farmers say these recycled pots are convenient, environmentally friendly, and cost-effective, making them a popular choice. Future Outlook: Promoting a New Level of Circular Economy in Agriculture
The transformation of discarded agricultural nonwovens into seedling pots not only provides an effective solution to agricultural white pollution but also opens up a new direction for the development of a circular economy in agriculture. With the continuous advancement and improvement of technology, this circular economy model is expected to be promoted and applied on a larger scale.
On the one hand, research institutions and enterprises can further optimize the recycling and processing processes for discarded agricultural nonwovens, improve the utilization rate of raw materials and the performance of seedling pots, and develop more product types that meet the seedling needs of different crops. For example, specialized seedling pots with specific air permeability and water retention properties can be developed for flower and medicinal herb seedlings that have more demanding growing environments.
On the other hand, relevant government departments can introduce more supportive policies to encourage agricultural producers to actively participate in the recycling and utilization of discarded agricultural nonwovens. For example, subsidies could be provided to farmers who recycle discarded nonwovens, and tax exemptions could be provided to companies and planting bases that produce and use recycled seedling pots, promoting the formation of a complete “recycling-processing-application” industry chain. Furthermore, we can strengthen publicity and promotion efforts to raise environmental awareness and circular economy concepts among farmers and agricultural practitioners, allowing more people to understand and recognize the advantages of recycling discarded agricultural non-woven fabrics into seedling pots and actively participate in the green development of agriculture. We believe that with the joint efforts of all parties, the recycling model for discarded agricultural non-woven fabrics will continue to mature, contributing further to promoting the agricultural circular economy to a new level and achieving sustainable agricultural development.
Dongguan Liansheng Non woven Technology Co., Ltd. was established in May 2020. It is a large-scale non-woven fabric production enterprise integrating research and development, production, and sales. It can produce various colors of PP spunbond non-woven fabrics with a width of less than 3.2 meters from 9 grams to 300 grams.
Post time: Oct-07-2025