The broken-down components are most of the time of no nutritional benefit to life on earth. Certain favourable conditions must be met for this process to occur, such as the right temperature, microorganisms, nutrients, moisture, oxygen, and most importantly, time. One common misconception is the equation of bio-based materials with biodegradable materials.
Despite having similar names, a bio-based material is not automatically biodegradable, and biodegradable materials do not have to be bio-based.
Compostable materials, like biodegradable materials, are broken down by microorganisms but with a key difference: The broken-down matter must enhance the nutritious quality of the soil without introducing any toxicity. Also, this entire process must take place within 12 weeks for a material to be considered compostable. It could be inferred that compostable materials are made from organic raw materials for their broken-down components to be organic and beneficial to the soil.
However, this is not necessarily true as not all bio-based materials are compostable or even biodegradable. The process of composting is not usually possible on a small and unregulated scale home composting. It is often necessary to be carried out in an industrial composting facility, where adequate conditions such as temperature, humidity, etc. As per the ASTM standard, D , a material is deemed compostable once it passes the test of disintegration, biodegradation, and non-toxicity in a controlled laboratory environment.
A similar ISO standard, EN , specifically developed for packaging, deems a material compostable as long as the individual components used in its production are compostable [2].
The end product is many microscopic particles that may be even more problematic than before degradation as they may find their way into the diet of animal life and influence the food chain. Many experts have suggested that degradable plastics do not solve any problem but instead push the problem into the future [3].
Here, we compare the three terms, biodegradable, compostable, and degradable, and we highlight their key differences. Degradation takes the longest time and may occur over many decades. A biodegradable material does not necessarily enrich the earth after degradation.
A degradable material does not enrich the earth after degradation. Compostable plastics need very specific conditions to degrade, and it is not sufficient to merely expose them to oxygen. Degradation occurs via the enzymatic action of naturally occurring microorganisms. Degradation occurs via the enzymatic action of customised microorganisms.
Degradation occurs chemically but not via the enzymatic action of microorganisms. A biodegradable material breaks down into several components, including organic materials. A compostable material breaks down into several components, including organic materials. While all compostable material is biodegradable, not all biodegradable material is compostable. Although biodegradable materials return to nature and can disappear completely they sometimes leave behind metal residue, on the other hand, compostable materials create something called humus that is full of nutrients and great for plants.
In summary, compostable products are biodegradable, but with an added benefit. That is, when they break down, they release valuable nutrients into the soil, aiding the growth of trees and plants. While biodegradable items refer to just any material which breaks down and decomposes in the environment, compostable goods are specifically organic matter which breaks down, the end product having many beneficial uses which include fertilizing and improving soil health.
Unlike compostable, c ertain biodegradable products can take several years to break down and in some cases even leave toxic waste behind. Plant based plastics for instance are often labelled as biodegradable.
They undergo degradation resulting from the action of naturally occurring microorganisms such as bacteria, fungi, and algae. Degradation time: Biodegradable plastics usually take three to six months to decompose. This also depends on various factors, such as temperature and the amount of moisture present. Types: The two main types are oxo-biodegradable and hydro-biodegradable.
Australian Standard: Australia has no mandatory standard on biodegradability or degradability. However, the voluntary Australian standard AS —, Biodegradable plastics—Biodegradable plastics suitable for composting and other microbial treatment has stringent requirements for the time frame in which a product must break down in a commercial composting environment, its toxicity and the amount of organic material it contains. These are made up of polyethylene PE.
Biodegradable Plastic Trays: These are biodegradable food plastic blister trays, made up of recycled polyethylene-PET. Degradation: They usually go into a landfill where they are buried or they get into the water and find a way into the ocean. Although they will not biodegrade, but they will degrade into microplastic after many years.
In the process of breaking down, plastic releases bisphenol-A and toxic substances like polystyrene-based PS oligomers, which are not found naturally and which make their way into our food and water supply. Facts: When in higher climates, plastics can leach different chemicals such as fire-retardants, parabens, artificial dyes, and much more into soil and water systems and bind to different particles, which makes them persistent and lasting in those ecosystems.
Compostable Cornstarch, sugarcane, potato starch etc. The process of biodegradation can be divided into three stages:. The executive branch Government usually propose a draft law to the legislative branch Parliament who will amend and vote on it.
After adoption by parliament, the legislative proposal becomes law. We usually find definitions, rules and requirements in laws. The rules and technical requirements set into the law can be moulded into a standard. A claim is when a producer pretends that his product or packaging has a specific attribute such as compostability or biodegradability. Labels enable producers to officialise and publicise their claim and to share info with the consumer to create some kind of trust or added value.
Both elements are valuable marketing attributes. Compostability Claims. Home compostability is made at home while commercial compostability is done by an industrial facility. A certification is needed for each of these claims. These practical requirements are the fine line in the sand that distinguish between compostability ability to compost and the actual composting.
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