Been pondering the sustainability of Aluminum mulches recently. You can buy disposable mulch, but that doesn’t seem very sustainable. It’s an idea that’s been around since the 1950s and some have reported increased yield and even reduced pests
What if you used 2mm thick stuff that could have regularly placed holes cut? It would cost a bit to set up, but the saving of time/ soil carbon could well make it worth it.
It would last 50 years or more, and compared to digging or weeding seems good for the soil? Rainfall would be concentrated where there was actually a plant. It would make automated sowing or harvesting more viable.