Verification Study of Food Packaging Materials Recoverable Through Composting and Biodegradation

Abstract

Biodegradable packaging has the potential to reduce water usage, solid waste, electricity, and emissions compared to conventional packaging processes. Biodegradable plastics created from renewable sources (cellulose or starch) have novel functionalities and processibilities. The European Union standard EN 13432:2006, “Requirements for packaging recoverable through composting and biodegradation – Test scheme and evaluation criteria for the final acceptance of packaging,” solves this issue by explaining clearly how a material becomes biodegradable as well as compostable. The present work is a verification study of EN 13432:2006 using food packaging materials, which were categorized as biodegradable. Spectroscopic analysis of the samples, inoculum, and compost were performed used Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy and inductively coupled plasma atomic emission spectrometry. The aerobic and anaerobic degradation of the samples was conducted in accordance with ISO 14855-1 and ASTM D5511, respectively. An ecotoxicity study using the compost of the samples was performed as per OECD 208 guidelines. The nature of carbon dioxide evolution and biogas accumulation in biodegradability studies was on par with the ISO as well as ASTM standards. The quality of the compost and the ecotoxicity studies using the samples meet the requirements as stipulated by OECD 208 guidelines. The results proved the material possesses the characteristics recommended by EN 13432:2006; so, the material is undoubtedly biodegradable plastic.