Biodegradability Overview Kelvin T . Okamoto/Green Bottom Line, Inc. Indiana Food Scrap Initiative Indiana Recycling Coalition, Indianapolis, IN August 10, 2016
Agenda Ø Terminology Ø Testing and Specification Ø Certification Agencies Ø Who Watches Ø Takeaway
Terminology Degradable: able to break down due to chemical, environmental or biological action Biodegradable: able to break down from the action of naturally-occurring organisms such as bacteria, fungi and algae to produce humus/digestate, methane, carbon dioxide and water Compostable: able to break down from the proper combination of heat, moisture, air and micro-organisms to produce humus, water and carbon dioxide
Terminology Types of biodegradation Ø Industrial composting Ø Home composting Ø Anaerobic digestion Ø Soil biodegradation Ø Aquatic biodegradation
Terminology Degradable Biodegradable End of Life Terms Photodegradable Anaerobically Digestible Hydrolyzable Marine Biodegradable Oxo-degradable Compostable (Industrial/Home) Landfill Degradable Soil Degradable
Testing and Specification Standards Agencies: u ASTM u CEN u ISO u And others
Testing and Specification General requirements for industrial compostability: Ø Heavy metal content <50% of local sludge requirements Ø Disintegration in <84 days Ø Biodegradation in < 180 days Ø No plant ecotoxicity
Certification Industrial compostability certification agencies: Ø Biodegradable Products Institute (BPI) Ø Canadian Compost Council (CCC) Ø Vinçotte Ø DIN Certco Ø and others
Who Watches US watchdog organizations: Ø US Federal Trade Commission (FTC) Ø Guides for the Use of Environmental Marketing Claims Ø State of California Ø State of Vermont Ø BBB National Advertising Division (NAD) Ø and others
Takeaway No correlation between biobased content and biodegradability u Bioplastics example u Holds true for other materials too Biodegradable Not Biodegradable Biobased Bioplastic Bioplastic Bioplastic Not Biobased Not Bioplastic
Questions
Contact Information Kelvin T . Okamoto, PhD Green Bottom Line, Inc. 12972 Deerstyne Green St. Carmel, IN 46032 847-271-9285 kelvin@greenbottomline.com Skype: ktokamoto
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