Analysis of Biodegrability of Degradable/Biodegradable Plastic Material in Controlled Composting Environment

Adamcová, Dana; Vaverková, Magdalena Daria; Mašíček, Tomáš; Břoušková, Eliška

doi:10.12911/22998993/64564

Cited by 9 publications

(10 citation statements)

References 5 publications

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“…This conclusion was reached by the authors of Adamcová et al in their studies where degradable bags/films degraded completely after 12 weeks (three months). However, in their research, the testing was conducted in a laboratory, while in a real environment such as ours testing, it still took a month longer [ 1 ]. Films that have decomposed too much for test 4 and were not designated for home composting are SW, K, and B2 films, which was probably the result of the weather conditions.…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

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Influence of Home Composting on Tensile Properties of Commercial Biodegradable Plastic Films

et al. 2021

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In recent years biodegradable plastic films have been increasingly used for various purposes, most often as grocery bags and for collecting bio-waste. Typically, the biodegradation of these films should take place in industrial compost facilities where the biodegradation process occurs under controlled conditions. Nevertheless, many of these films are often disposed of in home composting bins, so the aim of this study was to examine the course of biodegradation of compostable plastic films under uncontrolled conditions in garden composting sites during a period of four months. Mechanical properties were tested on seven different commercially available biodegradable films and bags that were placed in a garden composting bin from February to May. Both tensile properties and tensile-impact strength showed some unexpected results in terms of increase of the properties after the first, second, and third month for some films and bags. The same unpredictability was seen in FTIR and TG analyses.

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Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…One of their biggest advantages is their durability. Unfortunately, it also presents the biggest problem because the rate of degradation does not match their intended service life, so they accumulate in the environment [ 1 ].…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Influence of Home Composting on Tensile Properties of Commercial Biodegradable Plastic Films

et al. 2021

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“…There were several nonstandard test designs as well. Adamcova and Vaverkova placed fully intact plastic bags in frames and buried them in a compost pile and in a commercial composting plant. Mercier et al dug holes in a field plot approximately 50 cm deep, and filled them with a mixture of compost and topsoil.…”

Section: Impacts Of Study Parametersmentioning

confidence: 99%

Knowledge Gaps in Polymer Biodegradation Research

Albright

Chai

2021

Environ. Sci. Technol.

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The environmental fate of polymers has attracted growing attention in the academic, industrial, and regulatory communities as well as in the general public as global production and use of polymers continue to increase. Biodegradable polymers especially have drawn significant interest. Polymer biodegradation literature published over the past decade was reviewed to compare test methods commonly used for evaluating polymer biodegradation, and to identify key areas for improvement. This paper examines key aspects of study design for polymer biodegradation such as physical form of the test material, use of appropriate reference materials, selection of test systems, and advantages and limitations of various analytical methods for determining biodegradation. Those aspects of study design are critical for determining the outcome of polymer biodegradation studies. This paper identifies several knowledge gaps for assessing polymer biodegradation and provides four key recommendations. (1) develop standardized guidelines for each specific environmental matrix (compost, activated sludge, marine environments, etc.) that can used for all polymer types, (2) develop accelerated biodegradation test methods and predictive methods for polymers, (3) develop an integrated analytical approach using multiple simple, and effective analytical methods, and (4) develop new frameworks for assessing the overall persistence of polymers and are accepted by the greater scientific community.

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“…Apart from biodegradation/disintegration, the laboratory experiment also explored the effect of the biodegradation/ disintegration of samples on compost quality [22]. The compost quality/toxicity was assessed in the pot experiment following procedures adapted from those described in CSN EN 13 432.…”

Section: Biodegradation/disintegration Test In Laboratory Conditionsmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…It is vital to monitor the impact of these biodegradable/disintegrable polymeric materials on the environment and the management of waste. This will bring actual benefits while making it possible to establish corresponding systems and legislation for waste management [18].…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Biodegradation/Disintegration of Selected Range of Polymers: Impact on the Compost Quality

et al. 2019

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This study provides information about behaviour of selected polymeric materials in laboratory and home composting conditions. Polymeric samples certified as compostable have degraded in laboratory conditions. Selected samples showed low decomposition of material in real composting conditions. Polymeric sample labelled by the producer as "100% degradable" did not show any visual signs of degradation in the laboratory conditions as well as in the real conditions. Research was aimed also to the effect of biodegradation/disintegration of polymeric samples on compost quality. Tests of phytotoxicity with Sinapis alba L. and Hordeum vulgare L. were done for every sample of compost but pH was too low to evaluate the impact of samples to quality of compost. No seeds of the tested plant germinated in 81% of the started pots. Conclusion of this study is that there is a different outcome between decomposition of biodegradable/disintegrable plastic material in laboratory conditions and real composting conditions. Furthermore, it was found that some polymeric materials advertised by the producer as "100% degradable" are stable and do not decompose.

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Analysis of Biodegrability of Degradable/Biodegradable Plastic Material in Controlled Composting Environment

Cited by 9 publications

References 5 publications

Influence of Home Composting on Tensile Properties of Commercial Biodegradable Plastic Films

Influence of Home Composting on Tensile Properties of Commercial Biodegradable Plastic Films

Knowledge Gaps in Polymer Biodegradation Research

Biodegradation/Disintegration of Selected Range of Polymers: Impact on the Compost Quality

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