Cultivating Sustainability: Biodegradable Containers in Horticultural Production

Plastic containers are the standard in the horticulture industry for the production of live goods. However, the COVID-19 pandemic reshaped consumer perspectives on sustainability and environmental responsibility, fueling a surge in gardening interest and prompting scrutiny of plastic use. With increasing global plastic consumption and mounting regulatory pressure, the need to evaluate viable nonpetroleum-based alternatives is growing. This study assessed the performance, durability, degradation, and marketability of six biodegradable or biobased containers composed of peat, wood fiber, coconut coir, cow manure, tapioca starch, and a biopolymer and compared them with traditional plastic containers. Over an 8-week production cycle, plant growth, container mass loss, and mechanical integrity (including dry and wet tensile strength) were monitored, and a consumer preference survey was conducted. Peat and biopolymer containers produced the largest plants, while starch containers supported the least growth and exhibited rapid degradation under wet conditions. Biopolymer containers maintained structural integrity across all time points and had the highest tensile strength in both dry and wet states, with values approaching those of plastic. In contrast, containers made of starch, peat, and manure were significantly weakened by moisture exposure and became brittle with age. Consumer responses shifted over time, with biopolymer and coir containers receiving the highest preference scores by the end of the trial. These findings highlight key mechanical and horticultural differences among alternative containers and support the biopolymer container as a promising substitute for plastic in short-term production systems.