Laboratory tests composting standards

Determination of the ultimate aerobic biodegradability of plastic materials under controlled composting conditions - method by analysis of evolved carbon dioxide - part 2 Gravimetric measurement of carbon dioxide evolved in a laboratory-scale test, ISO Standard 14855-2-2012, International Organization for Standardization, Geneva, Switzerland, 2005. 

BAK 1095, commercial polyesteramide based on caprolactam, butanediol and adipic acid was fonnd to be completely biodegradable according to German compostability standard DIN 54900 [113], Biodegradability of laboratory synthesized poly(esteramide) was studied in the controlled composting test according to EN 14046 standard [114], It was found that poly(esteramide) meets the biodegradation criteria of the standard. 

For each of the steps in the flow diagram, Figure 1, standards organizations worldwide have developed very similar and entirely appropriate laboratory simulation methods for testing plastics for use in various environments such as compost, soil, water, etc. Developing plastics may, therefore, be tested and approved as environmentally degradable in a particular environment, such as soil, compost, seawater and freshwater. Based on these methods, specifications have been established for what is and what is not disposable in such sites or use environments. 

Finally, this finished compost material must be backfilled into the original excavation. Provided that the material is carefully replaced and compacted in thin lifts, a substantial reduction in the volume of the compost may be attainable. The extent of the compaction and volume reduction can be estimated by standard laboratory compaction tests conducted on representative samples of compost. Knowing this final compacted compost volume in terms of the original in-place soil volume is necessary to determine whether substantial excess compost will be created by the composting process, and whether backfilling the excavation and mounding this excess compost will be feasible for the site in question. 

Standard test methods for determining aerobic biodegradation of radiolabeUed plastic materials in an aqueous or compost environment Standard test method for determining anaerobic biodegradability of radiolabeUed plastic materials in a laboratory-scale simulated landfiU environment... 

Scope This Standard specifies a method by measuring the oxygen demand in a closed respirometer, for the determination of the degree of aerobic biodegradability of plastic materials, including those containing formulation additives. The test material is exposed in an aqueous medium under laboratory conditions to an inoculum from activated sludge, compost or soil. 

The biodegradation of the compostable materials was tested in a controlled experimental environment. The experimental setup for the laboratory experiment is based upon procedures outlined in ASTM D5338. The procedures to measure the gases were done with detectors as allowed in the ASTM standards. Each of the compostable materials was added to compost soil in a 5-liter glass-canning jar and placed in an oven maintained at 58°C. The room temperature was between 22 C and 2TC during the course of the experiment. The jar containers have a rubber seal on the top. 

ISO 14855-2 2009(E), Determination of the Ultimate Aerobic Biodegradability of Plastic Materials under Controlled Composting Conditions - Method by Analysis of Evolved Carbon Dioxide - Part 2 Gravimetric Measurement of Carbon Dioxide Evolved in a Laboratory-Scale Test, International Organization for Standardization, Geneve, Switzerland, 2009. 

International Standards Organization (ISO) Plastics ISO 202004 -Determination of the degree of disintegration of plastic materials under simulated composting conditions in a laboratory-scale test... 

The maximum material gauge of a plastic is determined by its compostability in standard practice composting operations. AU tests must be passed. Success in individual tests will not be sufficient The EN standard test methods are based on the scientific definitions of the ISO standards 14851 [26], 14852 [24] (aerobic degradability in water), 14853 [27] (anaerobic degradability in water), and 14855 [5] (aerobic composting). The tests must be conducted by recognized test laboratories. 

---