Plastic vs. Jute: What Happens After Your Aerial Target Leaves the Ground?

Why Eco-Friendly Survey Targets Matter More Than Ever

By Surveying-Guru.com

Every survey crew knows the routine: set targets, complete the aerial mission, then return to remove them. Traditional plastic aerial targets have long been the industry standard, but what happens when one gets missed, damaged, or left behind?

The answer has significant environmental implications.

As the surveying industry continues to embrace sustainability, many firms are evaluating alternatives such as jute-based eco-targets. The difference between plastic sheets and natural jute fabric becomes most apparent after their useful life has ended.

The Breakdown Problem

Plastic targets are typically manufactured from polyethylene or similar petroleum-based materials. While durable and weather-resistant, these same properties make them extremely persistent in the environment. Plastic materials do not truly biodegrade like organic materials. Instead, they slowly fragment into smaller and smaller pieces known as microplastics, which can remain in soils and waterways for hundreds of years. Research and regulatory agencies estimate that many common plastics may persist for 100 to 1,000 years or more depending on environmental conditions. [epa.gov], [biologyinsights.com]

In contrast, jute is a natural plant fiber composed primarily of cellulose. When exposed to natural environmental conditions, microorganisms such as bacteria and fungi can break down the fibers through normal biological processes. Untreated jute can begin losing structural integrity within months and typically decomposes completely within one to two years depending on moisture, temperature, and soil conditions. [scienceinsights.org], [theroundup.org]

A Side-by-Side Comparison

Traditional Plastic Targets

✅ High durability

✅ Weather resistant

✅ Long service life

❌ Petroleum-based material

❌ Can persist in the environment for centuries

❌ Creates microplastic pollution as it breaks down

❌ Requires collection and disposal after use

❌ Contributes to landfill waste if discarded improperly

Plastic pollution is now found in virtually every ecosystem on Earth, from remote mountain regions to ocean environments. Once fragmented, plastic becomes increasingly difficult to remove from the environment. [epa.gov], [biologyinsights.com]

Jute Eco-Targets

✅ Made from renewable plant fibers

✅ Fully biodegradable

✅ Breaks down naturally into organic matter

✅ Lower environmental footprint

✅ No long-term microplastic contamination

✅ Supports sustainable material use

Jute cultivation itself is considered environmentally friendly because it requires relatively low chemical inputs, contributes organic matter back to the soil, and is derived from a rapidly renewable annual crop. [theroundup.org], [knowingfabric.com]

Why This Matters for Surveyors

Consider a large aerial mapping project involving hundreds of targets spread across rural properties, agricultural fields, wetlands, and construction sites.

Even with excellent field procedures, targets occasionally become inaccessible due to:

• Flooding
• Vegetation growth
• Property access restrictions
• Schedule constraints
• Project closeout timing

When a plastic target is missed, it may remain on-site for decades or even centuries. When a jute target is missed, nature takes care of the cleanup process.

That difference transforms a forgotten target from a long-term environmental liability into a temporary organic material.

The Hidden Cost of Plastic Cleanup

Many firms focus on the cost of purchasing targets but overlook the labor associated with removing them.

For a typical aerial control program, crews often spend significant time:

• Driving back to target locations
• Removing stakes and nails
• Collecting damaged plastic
• Transporting materials for disposal

These indirect costs can quickly exceed the original material cost of the target itself.

Eco-targets provide an additional advantage: if a target cannot be recovered, the environmental consequences are dramatically reduced.

Supporting Sustainable Surveying

The surveying profession plays a critical role in supporting infrastructure, environmental management, renewable energy, and conservation projects. As clients increasingly prioritize sustainability goals, survey firms have an opportunity to demonstrate leadership through small operational improvements.

Switching from plastic to biodegradable jute targets is a practical step that:

• Reduces plastic waste
• Helps prevent microplastic contamination
• Supports renewable materials
• Aligns with environmental stewardship goals
• Demonstrates commitment to sustainable practices

The Bottom Line

Plastic targets may last for hundreds of years after their job is done. Jute targets return to the earth in a fraction of that time.

For surveyors looking to reduce environmental impact without sacrificing field performance, biodegradable jute targets represent a simple but meaningful improvement. The next time you're planning an aerial control project, ask yourself:

If a target gets left behind, what legacy will it leave?

At Surveying-Guru.com, we believe the best target is one that performs exceptionally during the mission—and leaves little to no environmental footprint afterward.

Ready to Make the Switch?

Explore our line of eco-friendly aerial survey targets and discover how your next mapping project can be more sustainable, more efficient, and better for the environment.

Surveying-Guru.com – Helping Surveyors Leave Better Marks and Smaller Footprints.