Mypack

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.

Scientific based reccomendations and insights for practical applications
Comments, links

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.