Biodegradability & Compostability

1. What is difference between Biodegradability and Degradation?

Degradation/Fragmentation
- Heat, moisture, oxygen, sunlight and/or enzymes shorten & weaken polymer chains, resulting in fragmentation

Biodegradation
- Only if the fragmented residues consumed by microorganisms as a food source and energy source and become to CO2 and H2O.

2. Four basic criteria for assessing compostability

a. Chemical Testing/ Characterization
- To ensure neither harmful organic substances (e.g. polychlorinated biphenyl (PCB) and dioxins), nor heavy metals (e.g. Pb, Hg, Cd) pass into the soil vial the compost.

b. Testing of ultimate biodegradability
- To verify the complete degradation of the materials within the processing period of normal composting plants.

c. Testing of compostability (Disintegration)
- To determine the max. compostable layer thickness; To ensure the ability to fragment into non-distinguishable pieces after screening and safely support bio-assimilation and microbial growth.

d. Compost Quality Analysis (Ecotoxicity)
- To ensure that the materials used have no adverse effect on the quality of the compost; To ensure the finished compost can support plant growth.

3. Standards - Basic criteria for assessing compostability

• EN 13432 1. Chemical Testing: Amounts of specified elements are not to exceed the upper limits as defined in the German bio-waste regulation. 2. Testing of ultimate biodegradability: ISO 14851/14852/14855; at least 90% conversion to CO2 with respect to a suitable reference material; within 180 days (6 mths). 3. Testing of compostability (Disintegration): ISO 16929; <>

• ASTM D6400 1. Chemical Testing: The product shall have concentrations of regulated heavy metals less than 50 % of those prescribed for sludges or composts in the country where the product is sold. 2. Testing of ultimate biodegradability: ASTM D5338-98(02); At least 60% conversion to CO2 for homopolymers; at least 90% conversion to CO2 for blends and copolymers; within 180 days (6 mths)). 3. Testing of compostability (Disintegration): ASTM D5338-98(02);

• GleenPla Scheme 1. Chemical Testing: Amounts of specified elements are not to exceed the upper limits as defined by GreenPla Certification Scheme. 2. Testing of ultimate biodegradability: ISO 14851/14852/14855; at least 60% conversion to CO2 with respect to a suitable reference material; max duration: NOT SPECIFIED. 3. Testing of compostability (Disintegration): NOT SPECIFIED. 4. Compost Quality Analysis (Ecotoxicity): NOT SPECIFIED. 5. Oral Acute Toxicity Test for material: Rats - LD50 Test. 6. Environmental Safety Test for material: Algae - Growth Inhibitor Test (OECD 201); Daphnia – EC50 Test & Reproduction Test (OECD 202); Fish - Acute Toxicity Test (OECD 203)

• China National Standard (Similar to GleenPla)

4.International certification bodies – Overview, Registration Flow chart, Estimated Cost and Duration

(i) DIN CERTCO – Europe
(ii) BPI – USA
(iii) BPS – Japan
(iv) BMG – China
(v) EBPA – Taiwan

DIN 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). Certification body located at Berlin, Germany. Review and approve certification scheme for compostable products made of biodegradable materials; Review and approve registration scheme of compostable materials and additives; Licenses the use of corresponding Mark/ Logo. More … http://www.dincertco.de/en/index.html

BPI Biodegradable Products Institute, located at New York, United States. Multi-stakeholder group (people & organization). Promotes the use, and recycling of biodegradable polymeric materials. Compostable Logo awarded to any product (includes resin material) which meet the stringent test requirements based on ASTM D-6400-99 (Independent Test Laboratory). More… http://www.bpiworld.org/

BPS Biodegradable Plastic Society, located at Tokyo, Japan. Establish technology of biodegradable plastic. Lead commercial use of the GreenPla. Review and approve certification scheme for compostable products made of biodegradable materials. Review and approve registration scheme of compostable resin material in Positive List. Licenses the use of corresponding Mark/ Logo. More… http://www.jbpaweb.net/english/e-jbpa.htm

BMG Biodegradable Materials Group, located at Beijing, China. Review and approve certification scheme for compostable products made of biodegradable materials and resin material. Licenses the use of corresponding Mark/ Logo.