Composting GreenPla

The biodegradability of the Bionolle family is certified according to the following standards GreenPla , the label of the Japanese Bioplastic Association, European Norms (EN) 13432, DIN CERTCO (Compostable) and Vingotte (OK Compost). 

Ecoflex meets the requirements of Deutsche Institut fur Norms (DIN) V 54900 [67] as a compostable material and is certified by DIN CERTCO (Compostable), EN 13432, ASTM D6400 and the Japanese standard GreenPla [68]. 

Since there are no reliable indications available in the literature that microbes and enzymes can attack aromatic polyesters such as PET, PBT or polyethylene naphthalate [2, 77, 78], pure aromatic polyesters cannot be considered biodegradable or compostable according to EN 13432, ASTM D6400 and GreenPla standards. 

It must he noticed that most certification systems are specifically aimed at the evaluation of compostability. These are also the most successful certification systems. Other systems however are related to environmental fate and safety, e.g., the Japanese GreenPla), or to biodegradation in soil or water, e.g., OK Biodegradable). 

The major difference with the other certification systems lies in the need for toxicological safety data on the material itself (not to be confused with ecotoxicity tests after a preceding composting cycle). In the GreenPla system, the proof of toxicological safety is given by either oral acute toxicity tests with rats or environmental safety tests with algae, Daphnia or fish. Alternatively, the approval as a food additive is also sufficient. 

A number of certification systems which provide compostable packaging labels have been established worldwide. These certification systems include DIN CERTCO based on DIN EN 13432, OK Compost by AIB Vincotte (Belgium) based on EN 13432, compostable by the U.S. Composting Council based on ASTM D6400, and GreenPla certification by the Biodegradable Plastics Society (Japan) based on JIS K6953, to mention a few. 

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