Biodegradability Testing
What is Biodegradability Testing?
Biodegradability testing determines how well a material can decompose into its natural components such as carbon dioxide, water, and biomass, due to the action of microorganisms such as bacteria, fungi, or algae. This test is an important step in ascertaining whether the product is environmentally friendly or whether it harms the environment when disposed of.
Biodegradability testing allows manufacturers and regulators to evaluate that their products will break down naturally without contributing to a build-up in landfills or waters that are part of our aquifers.
How Does Biodegradation Testing Work?
Biodegradation testing simulates the natural environment where a material would break down. The environment can be soil, water, or even compost. A small sample of a material is placed under controlled conditions with microorganisms, and the degradation process is monitored over time. Primary measurements will include the ability of the material to break down into carbon dioxide (for aerobic conditions) and/or methane for anaerobic conditions, along with water and biomass.
The test tracks the percentage of material that degrades within a given specific tie frame. This assessment is necessary to verify that the material meets the criteria to be labeled as “biodegradable.” In general, the testing is undertaken in controlled laboratory settings that simulate the actual environment. This provides an accurate insight into how the product will behave when disposed of.
Types of Products Tested
Biodegradability tests are carried out on various products in order to understand their environmental factors. The common categories of the products are:
- Packaging materials: Biodegradable plastics, paper-based packaging, and compostable bags.
- Personal care products: Biodegradable wet wipes, cotton swabs, and sanitary products.
- Textiles: Fabrics made from natural fibers like cotton, wool, or synthetic fibers with biodegradable properties.
- Biodegradable plastics: Polylactic acid (PLA), polyhydroxyalkanoates (PHA), and other plant-based plastics.
- Agricultural films: Mulch films used in agriculture intended to degrade after use.
- Cleaning products: Detergents and cleaning agents consisting of degradable materials.
Each of the above product types may require different testing methods depending on the intended application and disposal site.
Types of Test Methods Followed
Depending on the product, the disposal environment, and specific regulatory and certification requirements, different test methods are applicable for testing the biodegradability of materials. Some of the most common test methods listed below are:
- Aerobic biodegradation tests
These tests assess the material’s potential to break down in the presence of oxygen. They simulate natural environments such as soil or water. They are most commonly used to test products like biodegradable plastics or packaging materials.
- Anaerobic biodegradation tests
This test method assesses the ability of a material to degrade in the absence of oxygen. Anaerobic conditions are usually seen in environments such as landfills. Thus, this test method is particularly important to most products which are expected to end up in landfill environments.
- Compostability testing
The method evaluates whether a material is capable of decomposing into compost in controlled industrial composting facilities. The method is extensively employed for packaging materials or one-time-use products which are expected to be composted after a period of use.
- Marine biodegradation tests
These tests assess how materials degrade in marine environments, ensuring that the produced products, such as biodegradable plastics, do not pose any long-term threats to oceans and aquatic life.
- Soil biodegradation tests
This method tests how materials decay in soil. Since most agricultural films and other products are intended to be placed outdoors, it is important to ensure that such products safely degrade without impacting the soil quality.
Each test is performed following precise methods while strictly monitoring test conditions such as environment, temperature, humidity, and the microorganisms involved.
Regulatory and Certification Standards
Biodegradability testing must meet certain strict international and regional regulations to ensure that the product meets environmental requirements. Some key standards and certifications include:
- ISO standards
ISO offers several international standards for assessing the biodegradability of various materials. For instance, ISO 14855 defines a procedure to assess aerobic biodegradation under controlled composting conditions, ISO 17556 evaluates the biodegradability of plastics in soil, and ISO 15985 determines anaerobic biodegradation in high-solids anaerobic environments.
- ASTM standards
The American Society for Testing and Materials (ASTM) has well-proven testing methods for biodegradability and compostability. Industry-wide standards followed here include ASTM D5338 for aerobic biodegradation and ASTM D6400 for the determination of compostability of plastics.
- OECD guidelines
The Organization for Economic Co-operation and Development, or OECD, provides extensive testing guidelines on the biodegradation of chemicals and materials. Standards such as OECD 301 (ready biodegradability), OECD 302 (inherent biodegradability), and OECD 310 (CO2 in sealed vessels) are indispensable in checking how various substances biodegrade when exposed to environmental conditions. These standards are highly regarded in both the regulatory and research communities.
- European standards
The European standard for assessing compostable packaging material is EN 13432. Products must meet the requirements of this standard to be labeled as compostable. This ensures that the products are able to break down in an industrial composting setting without causing harm to the environment.
- US standards
Testing for biodegradability in the United States generally follows the guidelines imposed by the Federal Trade Commission. This is to ensure that claims such as “Biodegradable” are not misleading. Apart from FTC guidelines, products claiming biodegradability must comply with the relevant standards of ASTM and ISO to avoid a regulatory issue.
- Certifications
There are a variety of certifications, like OK Compost and Biodegradable Products Institute (BPI) labels, that ensure a product meets certain biodegradability or compostability criteria. These certifications provide much-needed confidence to consumers and manufacturers alike.
Adherence to these requirements ensures that products labeled as biodegradable are correctly labeled and marketed. It also helps manufacturers avoid any false claims about contributing to environmental sustainability, thus preventing labels that could mislead consumers.
Benefits of Biodegradability Testing Services
There are numerous benefits to undergoing biodegradability testing for manufacturers, consumers, and the environment:
- Sustainability
Companies can demonstrate their commitment to sustainability by ensuring that their products are biodegradable. This makes their products attractive to environmentally concerned consumers.
- Regulatory compliance
Biodegradability testing is a compliance requirement for any particular kind of product, such as packaging or one-time-use products. Testing ensures that companies continue to comply with relevant legislation.
- Market differentiation
Companies selling bio-degradable products will be able to differentiate their products in the competitive market by appealing to eco-conscious consumers.
- Product innovation
Testing for biodegradability may spur innovation by compelling manufacturers to develop more novel, eco-friendly materials and products.
Why Choose Biodegradability Laboratory Testing at MIS?
Microbe Investigations Switzerland (MIS) provides cutting-edge biodegradability testing services for a variety of industries, such as packaging, textiles, and personal care products.
At MIS, we employ globally accepted testing methods and standards to deliver dependable, precise, and thorough testing results. Our experts are committed to assisting you at every step of the testing journey, from submitting samples to receiving the final report.
Get in touch with us today to discover more about our biodegradability testing services and how we can support your business in an eco-conscious world.
FAQs on Biodegradability Laboratory Testing
Some of the commonly tested materials include biodegradable plastics, textiles, packaging materials, agricultural films, and personal care products to mention a few.
Testing for biodegradability involves exposing it to simulated conditions like soil, water or compost and tracking how the microorganisms break it down. It determines the amount of the material that was converted into carbon dioxide, methane, water, and biomass.
Standards like ISO 14855 (aerobic biodegradability), ASTM D6400 (compostability), and EN 13432 (European compostability) are widely used for testing.
The test duration varies depending on the material to be tested, and the test method itself, usually ranging from several weeks to months.
Biodegradability is defined as the process in which microorganisms break down materials into simpler byproducts under natural conditions. Compostability, in particular refers to breaking down the material in a compost environment, wherein compost is the final product.
No, not all plastics are biodegradable. While it is true that conventional plastics such as polyethylene and polypropylene are not biodegradable, there do exist plant-based plastics that are engineered to break down under certain conditions.
Some of the determining factors that may affect how fast a material will biodegrade include temperature, moisture, oxygen availability, and even the type of microorganisms involved.
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