Biodegradability
Check recommendations, normalization, regulation requirements
Composted biodegradable packaging is subject to different regulations. Regarding the material, it is subject to Directive 94/62 / EC relating to packaging and packaging waste, as well as a standard requiring its industrial and domestic compostability (EN 13432 and NF-T-51800, see sheet on biodegradation). The compost incorporating the decomposed packaging must also meet several standards (NFU44-051 and NFU44-095), in which there are limit thresholds for inert materials and impurities (films and other plastics whose size is greater than 5 mm). Compost is also defined by the EU Regulation EU 2019/1009.
Meet standards and regulations on biodegradable and compostable materials.
Biodegradability measurement
ISO 14851 Evaluation of the ultimate aerobic biodegradability of plastic materials in an aqueous medium - Method by determining the oxygen demand in a closed respirometer - Measurement of O2 consumed - Criteria: More than 90% absolute or relative biodegradation in less than 56 days at a temperature between 20 and 25°C.
ISO 14852 Evaluation of the ultimate aerobic biodegradability of plastic materials in an aqueous medium - Method by analysis of the released carbon dioxide Measurement of CO2 released - Criteria : More than 90% absolute or relative biodegradation in less than 56 days at a temperature between 20 and 25°C.
ASTM D-7081 Specifications applicable to non-floating biodegradable plastics in the marine environment (seawater in non-pelagic areas) - Measurement of carbon CO2 conversion rate- Criteria : More than 90% absolute or relative biodegradation in less than 6 months.
SO 17556 Determination of the ultimate aerobic biodegradability of plastic materials in soil by measuring the oxygen demand in a respirometer or the carbon dioxide content - Measurement of O2 consumed or CO2 released - Criteria : More than 90% absolute or relative biodegradation in less than two years.
Compostability
ISO 14855 For a material to be compostable, it is necessary in particular:
- exceed 90% biodegradation in CO2 and H2O in less than 6 months measured by standard and standardized tests (e.g. ISO standard 14855: biodegradability under controlled composting conditions, note that this standard recommends a test temperature of 58 °C, a humidity of 50%, the use of compost of more than 2 months and a ratio of the mass of compost: mass of polymer of 6: 1);
- that the material is fragmented so that it is no longer visible in the final compost (the ISO 16929 standard relating to pilot-scale composting tests stipulates that after 3 months, residues larger than 2 mm must represent less than 10% of the initial mass of the material);
- that the heavy metal concentration is lower than the predefined maximum values;
- that the ecotoxicity and the agronomic value of the compost be evaluated (the latter can be evaluated by a plant growth test (modified OECD 208 test) on compost samples where degradation of the material has taken place and compared with the results on a control compost: the agronomic performance of the compost must exceed 90% of that of the control compost);
- that the permanence of certain physico-chemical parameters (nitrogen (N), phosphorus (P), magnesium (Mg), potassium (K), pH, salt content, etc.) after degradation of the material studied to be verified;
- that the addition of the material does not have a negative effect on the composting process.