Defining Biodegradability

Japanese Biodegradable Polymers Society (BPS) defines biodegradable plastics (called GreenPla) as plastics which can be used as conventional plastics, while on disposal they decompose to water and carbon dioxide by the action of microorganisms commonly existing in the natural enviromnent [5]. 

The testing procedure is slightly different the Controlled Composting Test . DIN 54900 (in press) defines Biodegradable polymers and measures the ecotoxicity and heavy metal content. The method will be very similar to the CEN standard. 

The example of the work performed by the European Committee for Standardization (CEN) to define biodegradability and compostability is illustrative of the role of standardization in this field. 

There are many definitions of biodegradability expounded by different authors. One publication [3] defines biodegradable polymer composites as "materials obtained from nature or by synthetic route, whose chemical bonds are cleaved at least in one step by enz5mies from the biosphere." T) ical degradation times for various materials, including biopol5miers and biocomposites, have now been estimated and are shown in Table 10.1. 

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