Research Brief: Evaluating Compostable Clips and Twine for Greenhouse Crop Support
October 16, 2026 
Photo: Adobe Stock
Researchers at the Vineland Research and Innovation Centre recently evaluated compostable greenhouse clips and twine in a commercial-style high-wire cucumber production system and found that several products delivered reliable crop support throughout the growing cycle.
Why It Matters
Plastic clips and twine are widely used in greenhouse cucumber, tomato, and pepper production, but they often complicate end-of-season crop disposal. Residual plastic contamination can limit opportunities for composting, anaerobic digestion, or land application of crop waste. By contrast, compostable support materials could simplify vine disposal while helping greenhouse operations reduce agricultural plastic waste sent to landfills.
About the High-Wire Cucumber Trial
The four-month trial, conducted from December 2025 through April 2026, evaluated commercially available compostable clips and twine under real greenhouse production conditions. Researchers compared compostable products with conventional polypropylene (a type of synthetic plastic) clips and twine to determine whether the alternatives could hold up against the demands of high-wire cucumber production.
Key Findings
Vineland researchers reported that all compostable products successfully supported the crop through the entire production cycle, noting only minimal breakage, stretching, or operational challenges. Twine strength measurements remained consistent throughout the trial, indicating that the materials maintained their durability under greenhouse conditions.
Adoption Challenges Remain
Despite encouraging performance results, researchers noted that there are several barriers to wider adoption of the trialed compostable products, including initial higher costs, storage and shelf life concerns, and product availability, the latter of which can be jeopardized by international supply chain problems.
Takeaway for Growers
The trial results suggest that selected compostable clips and twine can provide dependable support for high-wire greenhouse cucumber crops while creating new opportunities for sustainable end-of-season vine management. As availability improves and costs become more competitive, compostable greenhouse support products may help growers reduce plastic waste without compromising crop performance.
For more information regarding findings on clips and twine used during the high-wire cucumber trial, including a look at which compostable products fared the best under greenhouse production conditions, read the full report on the Vineland website.