Biodegradability of conventional and bio-based plastics and natural fiber composites during composting, anaerobic digestion and long-term soil incubation

• Published in: Polymer degradation and stability Vol. 98; no. 12; pp. 2583 - 2591
• Main Authors: Gómez, Eddie F., Michel, Frederick C.
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Kidlington Elsevier Ltd 01.12.2013; Elsevier
• Subjects: additives; Anaerobic digestion; Applied sciences; biodegradability; Biodegradable plastics; Biodegradation; biogas; Bioplastics; carbon; carbon dioxide; cellulose; coconuts; coir; Composting; composts; environmental impact; Exact sciences and technology; methane; mineralization; municipal solid waste; organic wastes; paper pulp; plastics; pollution; polyethylene; polyhydroxyalkanoates; Polymer industry, paints, wood; polypropylenes; recycling; scanning electron microscopy; Soil; Technology of polymers; Waste treatment; Biodegradation; Soil; Composting; Biodegradable plastics; Bioplastics; Anaerobic digestion; Biological properties; Polyethylene; Starch; Biodegradability; Propylene polymer; Cellulose; Urban waste; Ester polymer; Alkanoate(hydroxy) polymer; Experimental study; Composite material; Soils; Mineralization; Natural fiber; Aliphatic polymer; Olefin polymer; Oside polymer; Kinetics

Plastics are a major constituent of municipal solid waste that pose a growing disposal and environmental pollution problem due to their recalcitrant nature. To reduce their environmental impacts and allow them to be transformed during organic waste recycling processes, various materials have recentl...