We are here to update you on the latest research about BDM and recycling options PE mulch as well as help you to answer any questions you might have. In each episode, we'll dive into the latest research, trends, news, and insights on why mulch matters and how we can improve plastic mulch end-of-life options. We'll also branch out and discuss other plastics as well as talk to researchers, experts, and practitioners in the field who will share their insights and experiences on how to use mulch effectively in different settings.
Mulch Matters
Claim This Podcastby Nataliya Shcherbatyuk
5.0(6 reviews)
32 episodes
Updated Bi-weekly
Accepts GuestsHas SponsorsLocation 🇺🇸
40
Podcast Authority
BetaPoorBased on show quality, social media presence, reviews, charts, and more
Quality55
Social0
YouTube0
Engagement60
Podcast Overview
We are here to update you on the latest research about BDM and recycling options PE mulch as well as help you to answer any questions you might have. In each episode, we'll dive into the latest research, trends, news, and insights on why mulch matters and how we can improve plastic mulch end-of-life options. We'll also branch out and discuss other plastics as well as talk to researchers, experts, and practitioners in the field who will share their insights and experiences on how to use mulch effectively in different settings.
Language
🇺🇲
Publishing Since
10/27/2023
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Recent Episodes
June 29, 2026
Turning Plastic Mulch into Opportunity: Cynthia Sigira on Pyrolysis, Recycling Challenges & Circular Solutions
<div> </div> <div id="Urb5hTMG43VAsqzrrzD1A-user-message" tabindex="0" role= "article" data-tabster= "{"groupper":{"tabbability":2},"focusable":{}}" aria-labelledby="Urb5hTMG43VAsqzrrzD1A-user-message"> <div> <div class="flex w-full flex-col gap-1"> <div> <div> <div> </div> </div> </div> </div> </div> </div> <div tabindex="0" role="article" data-tabster= "{"groupper":{"tabbability":2},"focusable":{}}" data-content="ai-message" data-testid="ai-message" aria-labelledby= "DGsDK66wCDAYWoX6j2oLW-author DGsDK66wCDAYWoX6j2oLW-content-0"> <div class="space-y-3 mt-3"> <div id="DGsDK66wCDAYWoX6j2oLW-content-0"> <p>In this episode of Mulch Matters, host Dr. Nataliya Shcherbatyuk sits down with <strong>Cynthia Bosibori Sigira</strong>, a PhD researcher at NC State University, to explore the rapidly evolving world of agricultural plastic mulch and its end‑of‑life challenges.</p> <p>Cynthia shares her journey from studying environmental engineering in Kenya to researching sustainable recycling pathways for plastic mulch in U.S. agriculture. She explains why plastic mulch use has surged—highlighting that it can lead to "up to 60% increased crop yields" —while also unpacking the environmental risks of current disposal practices like burning, burying, and landfilling.</p> <p>A major focus of the conversation is Cynthia's work on <strong>pyrolysis</strong>, which she describes using a memorable analogy: "imagine cooking something using a slow cooker" . She discusses how real‑world conditions—UV exposure, soil contamination, additives—affect pyrolysis outcomes and why these films are so challenging to recycle. Cynthia also dives into the promise of catalytic pyrolysis, the hurdles to scaling it, and what a truly circular system for agricultural plastics could look like.</p> <p>Whether you're a grower, researcher, policymaker, or sustainability enthusiast, this episode offers a clear, insightful look at the science, challenges, and future of mulch film recycling.</p> <p class="Script" style="line-height: 115%;"><span style= "font-size: 10.0pt; line-height: 115%; font-family: 'Arial',sans-serif; color: black; mso-themecolor: text1;"> This work is supported by Specialty Crops Research Initiative Award 2022-51181-38325 from the USDA National Institute of Food and Agriculture. Any opinions, findings, conclusions, or recommendations expressed on this podcast are those of the author(s) and do not necessarily reflect the view of the U.S. Department of Agriculture.</span></p> <p class="Script" style="line-height: 115%;"><a href= "https://pixabay.com/music/introoutro-motivational-ident-main-9923/"> <span style= "font-size: 10.0pt; line-height: 115%; font-family: 'Arial',sans-serif; color: black; mso-themecolor: text1;"> Intro and outro music</span></a> <span style= "font-size: 10.0pt; line-height: 115%; font-family: 'Arial',sans-serif; color: black; mso-themecolor: text1;"> credit to Zakhar Valaha from Pixabay</span></p> </div> </div> </div>
May 29, 2026
From Cradle to Grave: Life Cycle Insights from California's Strawberry Fields
<p><span style="font-size: 10pt;">What really happens to mulch films after they're used—and which options are truly sustainable? In this episode, PhD candidate Oluwatunmise Dada joins us to break down the full cradle‑to‑grave life cycle of biodegradable and polyethylene mulches in California's strawberry systems.</span></p> <p><span style="font-size: 10pt;">We explore:</span></p> <p><span style="font-size: 10pt;">• How PBAT, PLA, and TPS mulch formulations differ</span></p> <p><span style="font-size: 10pt;">• Why soil biodegradation consistently outperforms other end‑of‑life pathways</span></p> <p><span style="font-size: 10pt;">• The hidden environmental costs of landfilling PE mulch</span></p> <p><span style="font-size: 10pt;">• What sensitivity analysis reveals about degradation rates and transport distances</span></p> <p><span style="font-size: 10pt;">• Key limitations in current LCA methods for soil‑biodegradable materials</span></p> <p><span style="font-size: 10pt;">• Practical takeaways for growers deciding whether to adopt BDMs</span></p> <p><span style="font-size: 10pt;">Dada also shares what excites him most about the future of sustainable materials in agriculture, and what's next as he approaches the finish line of his PhD journey.</span></p> <p><span style="font-size: 10pt;">If you're a grower, researcher, or anyone curious about the future of mulch sustainability, this episode offers clear, science‑based insights you won't want to miss.</span></p> <p> </p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%;"><span style= "font-size: 10pt; line-height: 150%; font-family: Arial, sans-serif;"> This work is supported by Specialty Crops Research Initiative Award 2022-51181-38325 from the USDA National Institute of Food and Agriculture. Any opinions, findings, conclusions, or recommendations expressed on this podcast are those of the author(s) and do not necessarily reflect the view of the U.S. Department of Agriculture.</span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%;"><span style= "font-size: 10pt; line-height: 150%; font-family: Arial, sans-serif;"> </span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%;"><span style= "font-size: 10pt; line-height: 150%; font-family: Arial, sans-serif;"> Note:</span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%;"><span style= "font-size: 10pt;"><a href= "https://pixabay.com/music/introoutro-motivational-ident-main-9923/"> <span style= "line-height: 150%; font-family: Arial, sans-serif;">Intro and outro music</span></a> <span style= "line-height: 150%; font-family: Arial, sans-serif;">credit to Zakhar Valaha from Pixabay</span></span></p>
April 30, 2026
Biodegradable Mulch in Florida Strawberries: Research, Challenges, and Opportunities
<div> <p>In this episode, host Dr. Nataliya Shcherbatyuk sits down with Hadi Ghasemi, a Florida-based researcher, to explore how biodegradable plastic mulches (BDMs) are performing in real-world strawberry production systems.</p> <p>Together, they discuss the promise and limitations of BDMs compared to conventional polyethylene mulch, insights from Florida field trials, and how environmental conditions like moisture, wind, and temperature influence mulch performance. The conversation also connects mulch technology with plant physiology, including photosynthesis, light reflection, and canopy microclimate—highlighting how these factors can impact yield and sustainability.</p> <p>This episode offers valuable takeaways for growers, researchers, students, and anyone interested in sustainable horticulture, including how research can directly inform day-to-day production decisions and long-term environmental outcomes.</p> <p>Tune in to learn:</p> <ul> <li>How BDMs compare to PE mulch in strawberry systems</li> <li>Key agronomic and environmental factors shaping mulch performance</li> <li>Why plant physiology matters when choosing mulch materials</li> <li>Practical insights for improving sustainability in specialty crop production</li> </ul> <p>Note: <a href= "https://pixabay.com/music/introoutro-motivational-ident-main-9923/"> <span style= "font-size: 10.0pt; line-height: 150%; font-family: 'Arial',sans-serif;"> Intro and outro music</span></a><span style= "font-size: 10.0pt; line-height: 150%; font-family: 'Arial',sans-serif;"> credit to Zakhar Valaha from Pixabay</span></p> </div>
32 total episodes available
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Frequently asked questions
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- What is Mulch Matters?
- How often does this podcast release new episodes?
This podcast updates bi-weekly.
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This podcast is available on 7 platforms including Apple Podcasts, Spotify, and more. You can also use the RSS feed directly.
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Yes, this podcast regularly features guests.
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