Composting products

Since irradiated sludge does not compost by itself, it is necessary to introduce a seed. The composted product can act as a seed. There is no significant difference between the composting characteristics of unirradiated or irradiated sludge when seeded similarly. Repeated use of composted sludge as seeds has no detrimental effects. 

The increase of the recent years in the biological waste treatment in Europe is reported by ECN (2008). The environmental and market requirements of the biologically treated waste are also reported. The selective biowaste collection the compost production is around 9 million Mg in the European Union. 

Jacas, J., Marza, J., Florensa, P. and Soliva, M. (1987) Cation exchange capacity variation during the composting of different materials. In De Bertoldi, M., Ferranti, M.P., L Hermite, P. and Zucconi, F. (eds) Compost Production, Quality and Use. Elsevier Applied Science, London, pp. 309-320. 

Van Horn, Mark. 1995. Compost Production and Utilization A Growers Guide. UCDANRPub. 21514. 

Copolymers of polyethylene terephthalate (PET) with nonaromatic acids, poly(ethylene ethers) or hydroxy acids have been blended with starch to produce compostable products such as fibers and films.60 Starch contents up to 80% by weight are claimed. 

Certification enables compostable products to be identified by a unique mark and channelled for recovery of their constituent materials in specially developed processes. The Compostability Mark thus conveys product information to waste-disposal plant operators and product image to consumers. 

RPC s HI-COMPOST product range of biodegradable containers have a highly transparent and glossy finish which, say the company, make them aesthetically similar to clear polystyrene. Wall thickness of the HI-COMPOST containers range from 200 to 1500 micron. 

Giubileo L, Sarti AM, Bianchi LA, Calcaterra E, Colombi A Review of risks of biological agents and preventive measures to safeguard the health of compost production workers. Med Lav 1998 89 301-315. 

Characterization of the insoluble fraction of the TNT biotransformation products suggests that some residues are a polymeric form which can be partially extracted from the compost product with organic solvents, but they do not appear to be liable to appreciable release into the environment by acid rain or sunlight. Amoebae-associated bacteria capable of... 

EarthSheU Corp. uses a combination of starch and limestone to make packaging products that are biodegradable and compostable. Products manufactured include cups, plates, bowls, sandwich wraps, and hinged-Ud containers. The company s foam laminate is produced by mixing the starch and limestone with water and fiber and placing it in a heated mold. Vaporization of the water foams, forms, and sets the product. The material physically disintegrates in water when it is crushed or broken. ... 

Tailoring new composites within a perspective of eco-design or sustainable development is a philosophy that is applied to more and more materials. Ecological concerns have resulted in a resumed interest in renewable resources-based and/or compostable products. It is the reason why material components such as natural fibers, biodegradable polymers can be considered as interesting - environmentally safe - alternatives. 

Compost Low heat of combustion Degradable in compost Product design that does not require separation for disposal Labor saving with window Compost bags and kitchen net... 

DEST CERTCO operates a certification scheme for compostable products made of biodegradable materials and licenses the use of the corresponding mark developed by European Bioplastics (the former IBAW Interest Group for Biodegradable Materials). 

The Errropean Corrrrrrittee for Starrdardization (CEN) has developed a standard with reqrrire-ments for compostable products - EN 13432 [2]. With regard to acceptance for composting, basicalfy forrr characteristics are reqrrired ... 

The International Biodegradable Polymers Association and Working Groups (IBAW, Berlin) follows this view and projects a further growth of bio-based polymers in the EU to 2-4 million tonnes until 2020. Half of this total is expected to consist of compostable products while the other half would be durables. 

Bagasse is a sugarcane-based polymer that can be made into paper-like products for packaging, disposable tableware, and containers (Liyana et al. 2012). Bagasse is a fiber-pulp product that is part of the sugarcane stalk. Bagasse fibers can be processed similar to paper pulp to produce compostable products for stationary, paper products, food packaging, and disposable service ware (Baud et al. 2007). 

Synthetic aUphatic polyesters can be created to produce many different types of compostable products for packaging, film, and disposable service-aware applications that biodegrade under industrial composting conditions (Kint and Munoz-Guerra 1999). 

The use of green yard waste compost on farmland can lead to a positive environmental impact with lower water usage, lower fertilizer usage, lower herbicide usage, and sequestration. Life cycle impact assessments of environmental concerns from production and application of composted products provide a net positive environmental impact. The use of composting process and products provides a reduction in GHG, human toxicity potential, ecotoxicity potential, and eutrophication potential due to lower use of fertilizers, herbicides, water, and electricity (LCA for Windrow Compost 2006). 

The scheme outlined in this chapter also aims to address the fate of these possible residual molecules. This approach gives a further tool to assess the environmental behaviour of biodegradable and compostable products, by carrying out an evaluation scheme based on the REACH methodology that is currently fully recognised and endorsed. 

The routine chemical analysis for the quality control of compost and soil will not be suitable to detect (unknown) metabolites which are harmful to the environment. Bioassays will be necessary to supplement other analyses and to complete the information about the environmental behaviour of biodegradable polymers. This requirement is already expressed in the inclusion of mandatory bioassays in the relevant standards for compostable products. 

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