Report: Ultimate degradability of various kinds of biodegradable plastics under controlled composting conditions

Abstract

Eight kinds of biodegradable plastics were examined in controlled laboratory composting conditions for their degradability. Ultimate degradability, defined as a molar ratio of carbon loss as CO2 to the carbon contained in the plastic particles or pellets that have been added to the composting material, was calculated. The ultimate degradability of the biodegradable plastic was found to be dependent strongly on the kind of the plastic. The degradability of the eight kinds of plastics tested herein ranged from a small percentage to approximately 65% over the 8-day period of the 50°C composting.