Widely available around the world, polyethylene is the most common type of plastic. In fact, it has an annual international production of approximately 80 million tonnes.
Polyethylene is most commonly used for making containers and bottles, as well as packaging items such as plastic films and bags. It was prepared by accident back in 1898 by Hans Von Pechmann, a German chemist who was initially investigating diazomethane.
There are several categories of polyethylene, namely thermal, optical, electrical, chemical, and mechanical. In gardening, this material is commonly used to roof greenhouses since it retains heat and provides the optimal environment for plant growth and development. While it is not overly tough, this material boasts a high-impact strength and ductility. It is also easy to clean. Horticultural polythene is also UV stabilized to protect it from harmful sun rays. This helps ensure it lasts for a long time without deteriorating.
In gardening, polyethylene is also used to help the soil retain as much moisture as possible. It also minimizes the risk of soil compaction as well as root damage. It is more often used in strawberry and tomato crops to keep mold at bay. More importantly, polyethylene can easily smoother weeds such as dock, onion weed, rhizome grass, and ivy, among others. Because of its clear texture, polyethylene does not obstruct sunlight.
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