3.1.6.2. STANDARDS FOR COMPOSTABLE PLASTICS
Biodegradation in the environment is NOT the same thing as composting.
Composting is an artificial process operated to a much shorter timescale than the processes of nature. Standards (such as ASTM D6400, D6868; EN13432, and Australian Standard 4736 see below) designed for compostable plastic are not therefore appropriate for plastic which is designed to self-
EN13432, ASTM D6400, D6868, ISO 14855, 17088 and Australian Standard 4736-
The requirement in EN13432 and similar standards for 90% conversion to CO2 gas within 180 days is not useful even for composting, because it contributes to climate change instead of contributing to the improvement of the soil. “Compostable” plastic, 90% of which has been converted to CO2 gas, is therefore virtually useless in compost. Nature’s lignocellulosic wastes, such as leaves and straw do not behave in this way.
“Compostable” plastic is compliant with EN13432 and similar standards precisely because it emits CO2 (a greenhouse gas) at a high rate.
The Note to paragraph 5 of EN 13432 says: “It is important to recognise that it is not necessary that biodegradation of packaging material or packaging be fully completed by the end of biological treatment in technical plants but that it can subsequently be completed during the use of the compost produced.” This is what oxo-
If a leaf were subjected to the CO2 emission tests included in EN13432 it would not pass! Leaves are not of course required to pass any such test, but it shows how artificial the standard is.
Conversion of organic materials to CO2 at a rapid rate during the composting process is not “recovery” as required by the European Directive on Packaging and Packaging Waste (94/62/EC as amended), and should not really be part of a standard for composting. Nature’s lignocellulosic wastes do not behave in this way, and if they did they would have little value as soil improvers and fertilisers, having lost most of their carbon.
The EU Directive does NOT require that when a packaging product is marketed as “degradable” or “compostable” conformity with the Directive must be assessed by reference to EN13432. The Directive provides that conformity with its essential requirements may be presumed if EN 13432 is complied with, but it does not exclude proof of conformity by other evidence. Indeed Annex Z of EN13432 itself says that it provides only one means of conforming with the essential requirements.
The Oxo-
Biodegradation in the environment is NOT the same thing as composting.
Composting is an artificial process operated to a much shorter timescale than the processes of nature. Standards (such as ASTM D6400, D6868; EN13432, and Australian Standard 4736 see below) designed for compostable plastic are not therefore appropriate for plastic which is designed to self-
EN13432, ASTM D6400, D6868, ISO 14855, 17088 and Australian Standard 4736-
The requirement in EN13432 and similar standards for 90% conversion to CO2 gas within 180 days is not useful even for composting, because it contributes to climate change instead of contributing to the improvement of the soil. “Compostable” plastic, 90% of which has been converted to CO2 gas, is therefore virtually useless in compost. Nature’s lignocellulosic wastes, such as leaves and straw do not behave in this way.
“Compostable” plastic is compliant with EN13432 and similar standards precisely because it emits CO2 (a greenhouse gas) at a high rate.
The Note to paragraph 5 of EN 13432 says: “It is important to recognise that it is not necessary that biodegradation of packaging material or packaging be fully completed by the end of biological treatment in technical plants but that it can subsequently be completed during the use of the compost produced.” This is what oxo-
If a leaf were subjected to the CO2 emission tests included in EN13432 it would not pass! Leaves are not of course required to pass any such test, but it shows how artificial the standard is.
Conversion of organic materials to CO2 at a rapid rate during the composting process is not “recovery” as required by the European Directive on Packaging and Packaging Waste (94/62/EC as amended), and should not really be part of a standard for composting. Nature’s lignocellulosic wastes do not behave in this way, and if they did they would have little value as soil improvers and fertilisers, having lost most of their carbon.
The EU Directive does NOT require that when a packaging product is marketed as “degradable” or “compostable” conformity with the Directive must be assessed by reference to EN13432. The Directive provides that conformity with its essential requirements may be presumed if EN 13432 is complied with, but it does not exclude proof of conformity by other evidence. Indeed Annex Z of EN13432 itself says that it provides only one means of conforming with the essential requirements.
The Oxo-
