Microplastics in British Soils

The hidden microplastics hotspot beneath our feet—how agricultural soils have become a sink for plastic particles, why it matters, and what we can do about it

Microplastics are no longer a problem confined to oceans and rivers. They have quietly accumulated in the ground beneath us—on farms, in fields, in market gardens, and even in parks and verges. Across the UK, agricultural soils are now a significant reservoir for microplastic particles, fibres and fragments. This is a story about how that happened, why it matters for soil health and food security, and how we can address it with solutions that are not only effective but also safe for ecosystems. In particular, we explore the growing promise of biodegradable, enzyme-based remediation as a practical path forward—an approach aligned with nature, grounded in laboratory science, and tailored to the specific pollution profiles of British soils.

Bioglobe, operating in Cyprus with a UK presence via bioglobe.co.uk, focuses on creating bespoke organic enzyme remediation solutions. Their approach involves analysing the pollutants present in a given environment—such as soils enriched with microplastics and associated chemicals—and designing enzyme consortia that target and break down these contaminants into benign by-products. This article adopts a clear “Problem, Consequences, Solution” structure—written for an informed but non-specialist audience—to set out the current state of knowledge and make the case for a pragmatic, nature-positive response.

Before we begin, a quick definition: “microplastics” are commonly understood as plastic particles smaller than 5 millimetres. Within this category, “nanoplastics” are often used to refer to particles under 1 micrometre (one-thousandth of a millimetre), which present unique concerns due to their ability to cross biological barriers. In soils, microplastics are usually a mix of polymers—polyethylene (PE), polypropylene (PP), polystyrene (PS), polyethylene terephthalate (PET), polyvinyl chloride (PVC), synthetic rubbers (including styrene–butadiene rubber from tyre wear), and others. They appear as fragments, films, foams, pellets, and especially fibres (often from textiles). Their origin stories are varied—but an increasing body of evidence points to two especially important sources in UK agricultural contexts: biosolids applied to land as fertiliser, and tyre wear particles transported by wind and water onto fields and into hedgerows and ditches.

What follows is an in-depth exploration of how we got here and how we move forward.

Problem: How UK agricultural soils became a microplastics hotspot

Microplastics do not materialise out of nowhere in fields. They arrive along pathways that reflect how we live, farm, and manage waste. Two pathways stand out.

1. Biosolids and organic waste applications

• Biosolids are treated sewage sludges that are spread on farmland to recycle nutrients like nitrogen and phosphorus. This circular approach is popular because it reduces reliance on synthetic fertilisers, returns organic matter to soil, and supports soil structure.
• However, domestic and industrial wastewater contains a wide array of microplastics from household and commercial sources: washing synthetic clothing (shedding polyester and nylon fibres), personal care products and household cleaning agents (which can carry plastic microbeads in some countries and microplastic residues), fragments from packaging and films, and remnants from industrial processes.
• Modern wastewater treatment captures a substantial share of these microplastics in sludge. When that sludge is treated and repurposed as biosolids, the plastic load largely remains. Spreading biosolids on land therefore introduces microplastics—especially fibres—into agricultural soils. While treatment processes reduce pathogens and stabilise organic matter, they are not primarily designed to eliminate microplastics.
• The net result is a slow, repeated input of plastic particles into fields, year after year, along with beneficial nutrients. Over time, even low concentrations per application can add up, particularly on fields that have received biosolids regularly.

2. Tyre wear particles and road-derived plastics

• Road traffic is a major generator of microplastics through tyre wear and tear. Tyres shed microscopic fragments of synthetic rubber and polymer additives as they roll and abrade on asphalt. These particles—sometimes called TWP (tyre wear particles)—are rich in styrene–butadiene rubber (SBR) and often contain additives such as zinc and other chemicals.
• TWP and associated road dust can be transported via air and rainfall run-off into roadside soils, waterways, and agricultural land. Field margins near roads and drainage networks can act as conduits, depositing microplastics across the landscape, including farm fields and pastures.
• Once in soil, tyre-derived particles can persist for long periods due to their robustness and chemical makeup. Their irregular shapes, embedded metals, and additives raise concerns distinct from conventional packaging plastics.

Other contributors and amplifiers

• Agri-plastics: Mulch films, bale wrap, tree guards, irrigation lines, and horticultural plastics can degrade into microplastics if not carefully managed. Even when removed, small fragments remain in soil. Temporary plastic coverings for crops—widely used for season extension and moisture control—can contribute as films degrade.
• Compost and organic amendments: Green waste composts can carry plastic residues picked up in municipal waste streams.
• Atmospheric deposition: Microfibres from urban centres and indoor environments are detectable in outdoor air and can deposit across rural regions. This atmospheric pathway adds a background load of fibres.
• Flooding and irrigation: Water is an efficient carrier for microplastics. Rural catchments that receive run-off from towns and roads can deliver microparticles to fields; irrigation from surface waters can transfer accumulated particles into soils.

Why soils retain microplastics

• Soils act like a sponge for microplastics. The particles can become physically trapped within soil aggregates, adhere to mineral surfaces, and entangle with organic matter and biological matrices such as fungal hyphae and biofilms.
• Larger microplastics may remain in upper horizons, while smaller fragments and nanoplastics can migrate downward, potentially reaching subsoils and tile drainage.
• Ploughing and tillage can distribute microplastics across profiles and blend them into aggregates, making them harder to remove and more persistent as part of the soil fabric.

The British context

• The UK has a long history of recycling organic wastes to land, which is environmentally sensible in many respects. The challenge is that our waste streams now include pervasive microplastics. Biosolid application rates and frequencies vary, but where used repeatedly, soils can accumulate a discernible microplastic load over time.
• Dense road networks and wet climate patterns mean that tyre wear particles can be widely dispersed beyond carriageways. Field edges, hedgerows, and drainage ditches act as repositories and gateways, ultimately connecting to agricultural soils.
• The result: British agricultural soils—especially those receiving biosolids or located near major roads—are now a recognised microplastics hotspot.

Consequences: What microplastics do in soils—and why it matters

Microplastics are not a single, uniform contaminant. Their effects depend on polymer type, size, shape, surface chemistry, and associated additives. Nonetheless, several themes emerge from a growing body of research.

1. Soil structure, physics, and water dynamics

• Aggregation and porosity: Microplastics can interfere with soil aggregation—the process by which particles cluster into stable crumbs. Fibres can entangle with organic matter and roots in ways that either stabilise or destabilise aggregates depending on context, concentration, and fibre characteristics. Films and fragments can occupy pore spaces, altering aeration and water movement.
• Bulk density and water holding: Some studies suggest microplastics may reduce bulk density while changing water retention curves. In practice, this can lead to uneven wetting, faster drying in some horizons, and localised saturation in others.
• Erosion and crusting: Surface-deposited microplastics, especially films and lightweight fragments, may influence crust formation and susceptibility to wind erosion. Fibres that protrude can alter surface roughness and sediment capture dynamics.

2. Soil biology and the living matrix

• Microbial communities: Soil microbes are central to nutrient cycling and organic matter turnover. Microplastics introduce new surfaces for biofilm growth and can shift microbial community composition. Some microbes can colonise plastics; others are displaced or inhibited. The net impact can be altered carbon and nitrogen cycling, with implications for soil fertility.
• Enzymatic activities: Soil enzymes mediate key processes like cellulose degradation and nitrification. Microplastics and their additives can perturb enzyme activity—sometimes suppressing, sometimes stimulating—depending on concentrations and interactions with organic matter.
• Earthworms and mesofauna: Earthworms can ingest microplastics inadvertently while feeding on organic matter, potentially experiencing reduced growth or changes in burrowing behaviour at higher concentrations. Soil arthropods and nematodes can also interact with microplastics physically and chemically, with species-specific responses.
• Plant–microbe symbioses: Mycorrhizal associations, nitrogen-fixing bacteria, and rhizosphere dynamics can be affected by microplastic presence, potentially altering nutrient uptake efficiencies.

3. Plant growth and crop uptake

• Root development: Microplastics can change the physical environment around roots (the rhizosphere), affecting root elongation, branching, and root hair formation. Fibres and fragments in pore spaces may alter mechanical resistance or oxygen availability.
• Nutrient availability: Shifts in microbial processes can change the forms and timing of nutrient release, with knock-on effects on plant growth and yield.
• Uptake of particles and chemicals: Evidence is emerging that very small particles (especially nanoplastics) can be taken up by plants into roots and, in some cases, translocated to above-ground tissues. Additionally, microplastics can adsorb other contaminants (like pesticides or heavy metals) and act as vectors. While the extent and significance of dietary exposure via crops remains an active area of research, the potential raises food safety and consumer confidence considerations.

4. Chemical concerns: additives and sorbed pollutants

• Plastic additives: Many polymers contain plasticisers, stabilisers, flame retardants, pigments, and other additives. Over time, these can leach into soil. Some additives are benign; others pose toxicity risks or act as endocrine disruptors.
• Sorption properties: Microplastic surfaces can bind to hydrophobic organic compounds (certain pesticides, PAHs) and metals, concentrating them and altering their environmental fate. They can transport these attached contaminants within the soil profile or to biota that ingest them.

5. Hydrological connectivity and off-site impacts

• Drainage and run-off: Once in soil, microplastics can be mobilised by heavy rain, moving into ditches, streams, and rivers, ultimately contributing to aquatic plastic loads. Agricultural soils thus act both as sinks and sources, depending on weather patterns and field management.
• Catchment-scale implications: Accumulation in floodplains, transport during storm events, and redistribution across landscapes mean that rural land management plays a pivotal role in the broader microplastics cycle.

6. Agricultural economics and social licence

• Yield reliability: While effects at low concentrations may be subtle, cumulative impacts on soil function can contribute to variable yields, increased input needs, or reduced resilience to drought and heavy rainfall.
• Reputation and markets: British agriculture prides itself on high standards of stewardship. Public awareness of microplastics in food systems could affect consumer trust unless proactive steps are taken to mitigate and monitor.

7. Regulatory and policy headwinds

• As understanding grows, there is increasing scrutiny of routes by which microplastics enter soils—particularly via biosolids. Future regulatory shifts may tighten standards for plastics in waste-derived fertilisers. Farmers and land managers benefit from forward-looking strategies that anticipate tighter controls and showcase good practice.

In short: microplastics in soils are not merely an aesthetic nuisance. They are entangled with the physical, chemical, and biological foundations of soil health. While uncertainties remain—especially regarding thresholds and long-term, low-level exposure—the precautionary case for mitigation is strong.

Solution: A nature-positive pathway with biodegradable enzyme-based remediation

Addressing microplastics in soils requires a portfolio of actions—from preventing inputs to accelerating breakdown and recovery where feasible. No single measure is a panacea, but together they offer a credible path to healthier soils. Here, we focus on practical steps that align with British farming realities and highlight how tailored enzyme-based bioremediation can play a pivotal role.

1. Prevention and input control

• Source reduction in waste streams: Upstream improvements in wastewater management—such as enhanced filtration for microfibres at treatment works and measures to reduce microplastic shedding from textiles—help lower the plastic load in biosolids. Policy, technology, and consumer behaviour all matter.
• Biosolids best practice: Where biosolids are used, selecting suppliers with stringent screening and monitoring programmes can make a difference. Application records, timing, and field selection (e.g., avoiding repeated applications on the same parcels) help spread rather than concentrate the load.
• Farm plastics management: Minimising the degradation of agricultural films by selecting durable, UV-stable materials; timely removal; and proper recycling reduces fragment generation in fields. Switching to biodegradable mulch films certified for soil biodegradability, where appropriate, can be part of the strategy.
• Run-off control at field margins: Vegetated buffer strips, sediment traps, and well-managed ditches can intercept road-derived particles before they reach cropped land. Hedgerow maintenance and wetland features serve as living filters.

2. Monitoring and diagnosis

• Baseline assessment: Understanding the nature and extent of microplastics on a given farm is essential. This involves sampling soils from representative zones: treated plots (with biosolids history), field margins near roads, headlands, and reference areas. The analysis should characterise polymer types, particle sizes and shapes, and associated chemical signatures.
• Targeted hotspots: Pay special attention to gateways, turning areas, ditch outflows, and any fields with repeated organic waste applications. Hotspot remediation can be more efficient than blanket measures across entire farms.
• Time-series tracking: Repeat sampling allows farmers and land managers to measure progress, evaluate interventions, and demonstrate stewardship outcomes to regulators and customers.

3. Biodegradable enzyme-based remediation: how it works

• The premise: Certain enzymes and microbial consortia can catalyse the breakdown of polymer chains found in plastics, ultimately rendering them into smaller molecules that can be further metabolised into carbon dioxide, water, and biomass under aerobic conditions, or into other benign products under anaerobic pathways.
• Polymer-specific design: Plastics are diverse. An effective bioremediation solution is not one-size-fits-all. For instance, enzymes targeting ester bonds can be effective against polyesters like PET. Oxidative enzymes and oxygenase systems can initiate breakdown of more recalcitrant polymers by introducing functional groups that sensitise plastics to further biodegradation. Tyre wear particles, composed largely of synthetic rubber with additives, may require different catalytic strategies than films of polyethylene or polypropylene.
• Bespoke formulation: Bioglobe’s approach begins in the lab: analyse the pollutant profile in soil samples, identify the dominant polymer types and additives, and screen enzyme candidates (and synergistic microbes) that can act on those substrates. The result is a tailored enzyme consortium aligned to the site-specific mixture—be it a fibre-heavy biosolids signature, a tyre-derived particle profile near a road, or a mixed agricultural plastic residue.
• Delivery mechanisms: Enzyme formulations can be delivered as liquids, powders, or granules and integrated into standard farm practices. For example:
  • Incorporation during cultivation in spring or post-harvest.
  • Targeted application to field margins and ditches where road-derived particles accumulate.
  • Co-application with organic amendments to enhance microbial activity and provide co-substrates that support biodegradation.
• Safeguards and eco-compatibility: Enzymes are biodegradable proteins; when properly designed and applied, they do not persist as pollutants. Formulations can be tuned to avoid negative impacts on beneficial soil life and to function within typical soil pH and temperature ranges. The objective is to accelerate natural processes rather than impose a foreign chemical footprint.

4. Practical deployment on British farms

• Step 1: Assessment and planning
  • Conduct an initial site survey and collect soil samples from key zones.
  • Laboratory analysis to quantify microplastics by type, size, and concentration.
  • Review field history (biosolid application logs, compost sources, proximity to roads).
  • Set remediation goals: reduce microplastic mass, decrease average particle size, or lower the proportion of problematic polymers/additives.
• Step 2: Formulation and pilot
  • Develop a bespoke enzyme blend targeted to the dominant polymers identified.
  • Select a pilot plot (e.g., 1–5 hectares) representing typical conditions.
  • Apply the enzyme formulation following a standardised protocol—timing, dose, and method tailored to tillage regime and soil moisture.
• Step 3: Monitoring and iteration
  • Re-sample at intervals (e.g., 8–12 weeks, seasonal checkpoints) to measure shifts in particle size distribution, polymer integrity (e.g., via FTIR/Raman signatures), and associated chemical markers.
  • Track soil health indicators: aggregate stability, microbial respiration, key enzyme activities, earthworm counts, and crop performance metrics.
  • Iterate formulation or application variables based on results, scaling up across fields once efficacy is confirmed.
• Step 4: Integration with broader soil health practices
  • Combine enzyme remediation with organic matter management (cover crops, composts with verified low plastic content), reduced tillage where suitable, and targeted buffers to intercept new inputs.
  • Use rotations and residue management to create a resilient, biologically active soil environment that supports the final stages of plastic mineralisation.

5. Benefits of an enzyme-first bioremediation strategy

• Targeted and adaptable: Bespoke blends address the actual polymer mix in each field, improving efficacy over generic approaches.
• Ecosystem-friendly: Biodegradable, non-toxic by design, and aligned with soil biology. Minimises unintended harm to beneficial organisms.
• Compatible with farm operations: Can be integrated into existing work calendars with minimal disruption.
• Evidence-led: Measurable outcomes through lab diagnostics and field indicators provide confidence to farmers, supply chains, and regulators.
• Future-proof: Reduces legacy loads while complementing prevention measures. As standards evolve, farms that demonstrate active mitigation stand to benefit.

6. A note on realistic expectations

• Persistence varies: Some polymers degrade far more readily than others. Polyesters and some polyamides may be more amenable to enzymatic attack than polyethylene or polypropylene without preliminary oxidation. Tyre wear particles, due to their composition and additives, pose specific challenges.
• Timescales: Soil is a complex environment; remediation is not instantaneous. The goal is to accelerate breakdown meaningfully over seasons, not days. Consistent application and monitoring matter.
• Complementarity: Bioremediation is part of a system. Upstream control of inputs and good land management practices amplify its benefits.

Putting it all together: a practical roadmap for land managers

For farmers, estate managers, councils, and landowners, here is a clear pathway you can follow.

• Build a baseline:
  • Map likely hotspots: biosolid-treated fields, roadside margins, ditch inlets/outlets, headlands.
  • Sample and analyse: quantify microplastics and identify polymers. Record soil health indicators for context.
• Reduce inflows:
  • Review biosolid suppliers and practices; rotate application sites; avoid repeated loading on the same parcels.
  • Improve capture of run-off and sediment; enhance field margins with vegetation.
  • Audit farm plastics; prioritise quick removal and proper recycling; trial biodegradable mulches where appropriate.
• Apply enzyme remediation:
  • Partner with a provider that conducts pollutant profiling and tailors blends accordingly.
  • Start with a pilot, monitor rigorously, then scale.
  • Align applications with periods of favourable moisture and microbial activity.
• Track and report:
  • Repeat measurements seasonally; document reductions in particle loads and improvements in soil function.
  • Use results in stewardship reporting and to engage with supply chain sustainability programmes.
• Engage and adapt:
  • Stay abreast of evolving best practices and regulatory expectations.
  • Share learnings with neighbouring farms and catchment partnerships—microplastics move across boundaries, and collaboration pays.

Why enzyme-based solutions suit British conditions

The UK’s temperate climate and generally moist soils—punctuated by increasingly intense rainfall events—present both challenges and opportunities. Moisture supports microbial activity, which is helpful for biodegradation, but heavy rainfall can mobilise microplastics before breakdown progresses. Enzyme-based strategies help because they:

• Seed the process: By initiating polymer chain scission and oxidation, enzymes improve the likelihood that subsequent biological metabolism completes the job.
• Shorten the window of mobility: Faster breakdown of larger fragments and films reduces the pool of transportable particles that might be washed into ditches and streams.
• Fit seasonal rhythms: Applications can be timed post-harvest or pre-sowing, leveraging periods of active microbial turnover and avoiding clashing with critical fieldwork.

Moreover, the bespoke model—testing soils and designing blends to match—is particularly valuable in the UK, where fields often have mixed microplastic signatures: a bit of biosolid-derived fibre, some fragments from horticultural films, plus tyre wear inputs at the margins. Treating the actual mixture at each site is more efficient than assuming a uniform plastic profile.

Addressing common questions and concerns

Is it safe to add enzymes to soil?
Yes, when designed properly. Enzymes are proteins that naturally degrade in the environment. Bespoke formulations are assessed for eco-compatibility and tuned to avoid disrupting beneficial organisms or processes. The aim is to accelerate pathways of breakdown that already exist in nature, not to introduce novel chemicals that persist.

Will enzyme remediation “solve” microplastics completely?
No single approach will eliminate all microplastics in soils, especially in the short term. The goal is substantial reduction and risk mitigation. Some polymers break down more easily than others; for tougher plastics, enzymes may need to be combined with complementary steps that prime the surface for biological attack. Success is measured in decreased mass of particles, reduced sizes (which enhances downstream biodegradation), and diminished chemical risks.

What about nanoplastics and plant uptake?
By advancing the breakdown of microplastics in situ, enzymes help reduce the population of particles that can fragment further into nanoscale sizes. Additionally, fostering active microbial communities favours complete mineralisation rather than unchecked fragmentation. While research is ongoing, proactive remediation is a sensible risk management step to protect crop systems.

Will this affect yields or soil fertility?
Properly applied, enzyme-based remediation should support, not hinder, soil function. Monitoring plans include standard agronomic measures and biological indicators to confirm positive or neutral impacts. Because microplastics can disrupt soil structure and biology, reducing their load is aligned with long-term soil health and yield stability.

Is this compatible with organic and regenerative practices?
Yes. Enzyme-based approaches complement regenerative principles: minimise synthetic inputs, enhance biology, and work with natural processes. They can be deployed alongside cover cropping, reduced tillage, compost applications with verified low plastic content, and landscape-scale interventions like buffer strips.

The science behind bespoke enzyme consortia

The heart of enzyme remediation is clever biochemistry supported by careful analytics. A simplified overview:

• Identify target polymers: Soil samples are analysed using spectroscopic methods (e.g., FTIR, Raman) and thermal techniques (e.g., pyrolysis-GC/MS) to identify and quantify polymer types and particle sizes.
• Match catalytic tools: Enzymes known to cleave certain bonds—esterases, cutinases, PETases for polyesters; laccases and peroxidases for oxidative priming; mono- and dioxygenases in microbial consortia for further metabolism—are shortlisted. For tyre-derived particles, strategies may include oxidative modification followed by microbial assimilation of simpler fragments.
• Build synergy: Single enzymes can start the process, but consortia—combinations of enzymes and supportive microbes—often perform better. One catalyst opens the polymer, another processes intermediates, microbes mop up and convert monomers or oligomers into biomass and CO2.
• Optimise for soil conditions: pH, temperature, moisture, and mineral content affect performance. Formulations are stabilised for field use and tuned for local soils. Co-factors and benign carriers may be included to enhance contact with particles and sustain activity.
• Validate in the lab, then the field: Lab microcosms measure changes in polymer signatures and mass. Field pilots confirm real-world efficacy under British weather and agronomy. Monitoring plans ensure that benefits are documented and any adjustments made promptly.

This stepwise process mirrors Bioglobe’s model: measure, design, validate, deploy, iterate. The bespoke element is crucial because the “plastic mix” in any one farm tells its own story, and enzymes should speak that language.

A note on tyre wear particles

Tyre wear particles deserve special attention. They are not “typical” plastics; they are composites of synthetic rubber, fillers (like carbon black), and chemical additives. Their environmental profile includes:

• Chemical complexity: Additives such as zinc and antioxidants can leach, posing separate ecological concerns.
• Physical persistence: The rubber matrix resists degradation, especially in the absence of oxygen or strong oxidative cues.
• Environmental mobility: Fine fractions are readily transported; larger granules can lodge in soils and ditches.

An enzyme-based strategy for TWP often involves:

• Oxidative priming to introduce oxygen-containing functional groups into the rubber matrix, making it more susceptible to enzymatic or microbial attack.
• Consortia selection that includes microbes capable of assimilating breakdown products from rubber and additives.
• Targeted applications to roadside margins, ditches, and field edges where TWP densities are higher.

While challenging, progress is possible—particularly when combined with buffer management to intercept new deposits.

Farmers’ checklist: integrating microplastics remediation into farm management

• Records and mapping
  • Keep a log of biosolid applications, compost sources, and plastic uses on the farm.
  • Map risk zones: roadsides, gateways, ditches, and repeatedly treated fields.
• Soil testing routine
  • Add microplastic screening to periodic soil testing, at least in representative sites.
  • Track polymer types and particle size distributions over time.
• Field operations
  • Time enzyme applications alongside cultivation windows.
  • Avoid excessive disturbance immediately after application to allow contact time.
  • Where possible, maintain moderate soil moisture for biological activity.
• Landscape features
  • Maintain vegetative buffer strips with dense root mass to trap particles.
  • Install sediment traps in ditches and clean them responsibly to prevent downstream transport.
  • Consider constructed wetlands in strategic locations within the farm network.
• Plastics stewardship
  • Switch to higher-durability or biodegradable films where agronomically appropriate.
  • Rapidly remove and recycle films and wraps after use.
  • Provide clear staff guidance to prevent shredding of films during removal.
• Communication
  • Share remediation goals and progress with suppliers and buyers; align with retailer sustainability criteria.
  • Engage with local catchment partnerships to coordinate across farm boundaries.

The bigger picture: resilience, reputation, and responsibility

British agriculture faces intersecting pressures: climate variability, input costs, biodiversity expectations, and evolving regulations. Microplastics add a layer of complexity, but they also present an opportunity to demonstrate leadership. By tackling plastics in soils head-on—measuring, mitigating, and managing—farmers can strengthen resilience and protect the reputation of British produce.

Enzyme-based remediation is not a silver bullet, but it is a powerful tool when used intelligently. It fits neatly into a “soil-first” philosophy: work with biology, favour prevention, and measure outcomes. It reduces reliance on mechanical removal (impractical for microscopic particles) and avoids introducing new chemicals that could create fresh problems.

For organisations like Bioglobe, the mission is to translate good science into practical results. That means bespoke analysis, tailored solutions, and clear reporting—so that land managers can see the difference in their soils and share credible progress with stakeholders.

Summary: what you should take away

• UK agricultural soils have become a hotspot for microplastics, largely through biosolids application and tyre wear particle deposition, with additional contributions from agri-plastics, composts, atmospheric deposition, and water transport.
• Microplastics can alter soil structure, microbial communities, enzymatic activities, and plant–soil interactions. They can carry chemical additives and sorbed pollutants, raising ecological and agronomic concerns.
• A practical, nature-positive solution set exists. It includes prevention (better waste and plastics management), interception (buffers and ditches), and remediation—where bespoke, biodegradable enzyme-based treatments accelerate the breakdown of plastics into benign end products.
• The most effective approach is site-specific: assess, tailor, pilot, monitor, and scale. Integration with broader soil health practices amplifies benefits.
• Enzyme remediation is safe by design, compatible with regenerative methods, and suited to British field conditions. It offers measurable progress and helps future-proof farms against shifting expectations and regulations.

FAQs

1. What exactly are microplastics in soils, and where do they come from on farms?

• Microplastics are plastic particles smaller than 5 mm, including fibres, fragments, films, and foams. On UK farms, the main inputs are biosolids (treated sewage sludge rich in microfibres and fragments) and tyre wear particles transported from roads. Other sources include degrading agricultural films and wraps, contaminated composts, atmospheric deposition of fibres, and water-borne inputs during run-off and flooding.

2. Can microplastics affect crop growth or food safety?

• Microplastics can influence soil structure, water movement, and soil biology—all of which matter for crop performance. They may alter nutrient cycling and root development. Very small particles (especially nanoplastics) may be taken up by plant roots and, in some cases, move to shoots or leaves. Microplastics can also carry additives and pollutants. While the scale of dietary exposure from UK-grown crops is still being studied, reducing microplastic loads is a prudent step to protect soil function and maintain consumer confidence.

3. How do enzyme-based solutions help remove or reduce microplastics in soil?

• Enzymes catalyse reactions that break the chemical bonds in plastic polymers, chopping long chains into smaller molecules that microbes can metabolise. Tailored blends are designed to match the dominant polymers in a given soil—such as PET fibres or tyre-derived particles—and operate effectively under local soil conditions. Over time, this accelerates the transformation of plastics into benign end products. Because enzymes are biodegradable and targeted, they offer an eco-friendly remediation pathway.

4. Will enzyme treatments harm beneficial soil life or leave residues?

• Properly formulated enzyme treatments are biodegradable and designed to be compatible with soil ecosystems. They do not persist as pollutants and are calibrated to avoid disrupting beneficial organisms. Field programmes include monitoring of soil health indicators—such as microbial respiration, earthworm counts, and enzymatic activities—to ensure positive or neutral impacts alongside microplastic reduction.

5. What can farmers do today to start addressing microplastics on their land?

• Start by mapping risk zones and collecting soil samples for microplastic analysis. Review biosolid and compost sources, rotate application sites, and improve field margins to intercept road-derived particles. Audit and improve farm plastics management—quick removal and recycling of films, and consider biodegradable alternatives where appropriate. Explore a pilot of bespoke enzyme remediation on a representative field, monitor progress over a season, and scale what works. Keep clear records to demonstrate stewardship to buyers and regulators.

Microplastics in British soils present a complex challenge, but not an insurmountable one. With informed management, targeted remediation, and a commitment to prevention, we can protect the living fabric of our soils—safeguarding yields, ecosystems, and the trust placed in British agriculture. Enzyme-based solutions, tailored to the realities of each farm and field, offer a practical, science-led route to cleaner, healthier ground under our feet.