ASTM standard for Bio-degradable Plastic

Document#:

ASTM D5951-96(2002)

Title:

Standard Practice for Preparing Residual Solids Obtained After Biodegradability Standard Methods for Plastics in Solid Waste for Toxicity and Compost Quality Testing

Abstract:

This practice covers a standard procedure for preparing the residual solids obtained at the end of standard methods for biodegradability testing of plastics in solid waste, for subsequent toxicity and compost quality testing. The practice yields mixtures that can be used as such for terrestrial toxicity testing or that can be submitted to water extraction for further aquatic toxicity tests, in accordance with practice D 5152, and in conjunction with Method D 4229, Guides E 729, E 1192, E 1295, and E 1440, or other currently accepted toxicity test methods (see OECD Guidelines 201, 202, 203, 207, and 208 or US EPA 40FR797A, as well as other documents such as "A New Manual for Conducting Microtox Test with the Model 500 Analyzer" the work on cyst-based toxicity tests by Centeno, et al). The mixtures can also be used for further soil contact biodegradation testing. 1.2 This practice provides for storage and drying of the mixtures obtained at the end of the test methods for determination of the biodegradability of plastics under controlled composting conditions (Test Method D 5338), and under high-solids anaerobic digestion (Test Method D 5511). The mixtures contain the biologically decomposed residuals from solid waste and from the plastic materials. For the blanks, the residuals will be derived only from the biologically decomposed solid waste. In the event that a particular sample does not pass the toxicity test, chemical characterization of the degradation products can be performed on the sample to determine the source of the toxicity. Description of the performance of these analyses is beyond the scope of this practice. 1.3 There is no ISO standard that is equivalent to this practice. 1.4 The values stated in SI units are to be regarded as the standard. The values given in parentheses are for information only. 1.5 This standard does not purport to address all of the safety concerns, if any, associated with its use. It is the responsibility of the user of this standard to establish appropriate safety and health practices and determine the applicability of regulatory limitations prior to use.

Document#:

ASTM D5210-92(2000)

Title:

Standard Test Method for Determining the Anaerobic Biodegradation of Plastic Materials in the Presence of Municipal Sewage Sludge

Abstract:

This test method determines the degree and rate of anaerobic biodegradation of synthetic plastic materials (including formulation additives) on exposure to anaerobic-digester municipal sewage sludge from a waste-water plant, under laboratory conditions. 1.2 This test method is designed to index plastic materials that are more or less biodegradable relative to a positive standard in an anaerobic environment. 1.3 This test method is applicable to all plastic materials that are not inhibitory to the microorganisms present in anaerobic sewage sludge. 1.4 The values stated in SI units are to be regarded as the standard. 1.5 This standard does not purport to address all of the safety problems, if any, associated with its use. It is the responsibility of the user of this standard to establish appropriate safety and health practices and determine the applicability of regulatory limitations prior to use. Specific hazards are given in Section 8.

Document#:

ASTM D5271-02

Title:

Standard Test Method for Determining the Aerobic Biodegradation of Plastic Materials in an Activated-Sludge-Wastewater-Treatment System

Abstract:

This test method is designed to index plastic materials which are more or less biodegradable relative to a standard in aerobic activated-sludge-treatment systems. 1.2 This test method is designed to be applicable to all plastic materials that are not inhibitory to the bacteria present in the activated sludge. Compounds with toxic properties may delay or inhibit the degradation process. 1.3 This test method measures the degree and rate of aerobic biodegradation of plastic materials (including formulation additives which may be biodegradable) on exposure to activated-sludge biomass in the concentration range from 0.1 to 2.5 g/L mixed-liquor volatile suspended solids (MLVSS) under laboratory conditions. 1.4 The high MLVSS concentration relative to other biodegradation tests has the advantage of improved repeatability and increased likelihood of more rapid adaptation or acclimation of the biomass. 1.5 This test method allows for the determination of biological nitrification and the oxidation of other non-carbon components of the plastic. 1.6 This test method does not purport to determine whether or not a plastic material will pass through primary treatment to the aeration basin of an activated-sludge wastewater-treatment plant. The size or density of the plastic material may exclude it from the secondary-treatment stage of a treatment facility. 1.7 There is no similar or equivalent ISO standard. 1.8 This standard does not purport to address all of the safety problems, if any, associated with its use. It is the responsibility of the user of this standard to establish appropriate safety and health practices and determine the applicability of regulatory limitations prior to use. For a specific hazards statement, see Section 8.

Document#:

ASTM D5988-03

Title:

Standard Test Method for Determining Aerobic Biodegradation in Soil of Plastic Materials or Residual Plastic Materials After Composting

Abstract:

This test method covers determination of the degree and rate of aerobic biodegradation of synthetic plastic materials (including formulation additives that may be biodegradable) in contact with soil, or a mixture of soil and mature compost, under laboratory conditions.1.2 This test method is designed to rate the biodegradability of plastic materials relative to a standard in an aerobic environment.1.3 This test method is designed to be applicable to all plastic materials that are not inhibitory to the bacteria and fungi present in soil and compost.1.4 The values stated in SI units are to be regarded as the standard.1.5 This standard does not purport to address all of the safety concerns, if any, associated with its use. It is the responsibility of the user of this standard to establish appropriate safety and health practices and determine the applicability of regulatory limitations prior to use. A specific hazard statement is given in Section 8.1.6 This ASTM test method is equivalent to ISO 17556:2003.

Document#:

ASTM D6340-98

Title:

Standard Test Methods for Determining Aerobic Biodegradation of Radiolabeled Plastic Materials in an Aqueous or Compost Environment

Abstract:

These test methods directly determine the rate and degree of biological oxidation of carbon in plastic materials when placed in a composting environment containing simulated municipal solid waste or an aqueous environment under laboratory conditions. 1.2 Test Method A utilizes a mixed culture derived from the target environment (waste water, sewage sludge, compost eluant, and other environmental sources). Temperature, mixing, and aeration are monitored and controlled. 1.2.1 This method has the sensitivity to determine biodegradation at concentrations commonly found in these environments 1.3 Test Method B starts with fresh compost and proceeds through the normal composting process to an early mature stage. Temperature, aeration; and moisture are monitored and controlled. 1.3.1 This method can determine biodegradation at levels of the plastic commonly expected in municipal solid waste. 1.4 These test methods require that the target component of the plastic material be synthesized using the radioactive isotope carbon-14. Depending upon the objective, either a portion of the components of the plastic or all of the carbon can be uniformly labeled with carbon-14. The test method will determine how that labeled portion will be metabolized and biologically oxidized by the microorganisms in the system tested. 1.5 These test methods can be applied to any carbon-14 labeled compound as well as for plastic materials that have been formulated to biodegrade in a natural aerobic environment. 1.6 The synthesis and preparation of the radiolabled plastic is beyond the scope of these test methods. Carbon-14 labeled polymers may be purchased from a number of commercial labs. 1.7 There are no ISO test methods that are equivalent to the test methods in this standard. 1.8 The safety problems associated with compost and radioactivity are not addressed in this standard. It is the responsibility of the user of this standard to establish appropriate safety and health practices. It is also incumbent on the user to conform to all the regulatory requirements, specifically those that relate to the use of open radioactive sources. 1.9 This standard does not purport to address all of the safety concerns, if any, associated with its use. It is the responsibility of the user of this standard to establish appropriate safety and health practices and determine the applicability of regulatory limitations prior to use.

Document#:

ASTM D6691-01

Title:

Standard Test Method for Determining Aerobic Biodegradation of Plastic Materials in the Marine Environment by a Defined Microbial Consortium

Abstract:

This test method is used to determine the degree and rate of aerobic biodegradation of plastic materials (including formulation additives) exposed to pre-grown population of at least ten aerobic marine microorganisms of known genera. The test method is conducted under controlled laboratory conditions. 1.2 This test method is designed to index polymer materials that are possibly biodegradable, relative to a positive reference material, in an aerobic environment. 1.3 This test method is applicable to all polymer materials containing at least 20 % carbon that are not inhibitory to the microorganisms present in a marine environment. 1.4 The values stated in SI units are to be regarded as the standard. 1.5 There is no similar or equivalent ISO standard. 1.6 This standard does not purport to address all of the safety concerns, if any, associated with its use. It is the responsibility of the user of this standard to establish appropriate safety and health practices and determine the applicability of regulatory limitations prior to use.

Document#:

ASTM D6776-02

Title:

Standard Test Method for Determining Anaerobic Biodegradability of Radiolabeled Plastic Materials in a Laboratory-Scale Simulated Landfill Environment

Abstract:

This test method is designed to measure the anaerobic biodegradability of a material under conditions that simulate accelerated decomposition in a municipal solid waste (MSW) landfill. The test method requires the use of a 14 C-labeled material so that biodegradability can be determined by monitoring for methane ( 14 CH 4 ) and gaseous and aqueous carbon dioxide ( 14 CO 2(g) and 14 CO 2(aq) ), which are the terminal endproducts of methanogenic decomposition. Methanogenic conditions typically control decomposition in landfills. Note 1—A more complete description of this decomposition is found in Reference (3) . 1.2 This method could be applied to landfills that contain materials other than MSW. 14 C-Radiolabeled material will be added to compost such that between 25 ci and 75 μci activity per 2 litres of test refuse results. Note 2—Adding more radiolabel is desirable because, if the material biodegrades, there will be little residual radiolabel left at the end of the decomposition experiment, which is when the refuse is removed from a reactor and analyzed for residual radiolabel to perform a mass balance. In addition, if insufficient radiolabel is added, then CH 4 and CO 2(g) production from the added refuse will dilute the 14 CH 4 and 14 CO 2(g) from decomposition of the test material, and the labeled gases may not be detected in the reactor offgas. 1.3 This measure of anaerobic biodegradability in the laboratory represents what will ultimately occur in a landfill over a long period. The test conditions specified here are designed to accelerate refuse decomposition such that the entire decomposition cycle can be completed in six months. Note 3—This cycle may require decades in a landfill depending upon the actual environmental conditions (moisture content, pH, temperature). 1.4 The measured biodegradability obtained here is compared to the biodegradability of both pure and lignified cellulose, which are chemically similar to office paper and newsprint, both of which are routinely buried in landfills. Note 4—The degradability of the referenced compounds is described in References (2) and (5) . At this time, there is no standard concerning the extent to which a compound must biodegrade under the test conditions described here to be considered biodegradable. Thus, this test is most appropriately used to measure biodegradability relative to pure and lignified cellulose. 1.5 The safety problems associated with refuse and radioactivity are not addressed in this standard. It is the responsibility of the user of this standard to establish appropriate safety and health practices. It is also incumbent on the user to conform to all the regulatory requirements, specifically those that relate to the use of open radioactive sources. Note 5—There are no corresponding ISO standards.

Document#:

ASTM D6692-01

Title:

Standard Test Method for Determining the Biodegradability of Radiolabeled Polymeric Plastic Materials in Seawater

Abstract:

This test is used to determine the degree of aerobic biodegradation of polymeric compounds utilized in plastic materials by determining the level of respiration of such radiolabeled carbon compounds to radiolabeled carbon dioxide. 1.2 The test is designed to utilize the naturally occurring microbes in seawater as the inoculum for the enrichment and subsequent mineralization (biodegradation) of the test polymer using it as a carbon and energy source resulting in a carbon dioxide as an end product. 1.3 The test method requires that the polymers to be assayed are synthesized using the radioisotope, carbon-14, and that the compound or plastic material be uniformly labeled with carbon-14. 1.4 As controls, known biodegradable compounds, such as glucose or starch, also uniformly labeled with carbon-14, are run in order to determine the biological activity of the natural population. 1.5 The concentration of added polymers shall be kept low so as not to cause limitation by oxygen, and the seawater inoculum is amended with nitrogen and phosphorus compounds to ensure that growth in not limited by these nutrients. 1.6 The safety problems and regulations associated with working with radioactive materials are not addressed in the method. It is the responsibility of the individual users to establish and ensure adherence the proper safety, health, monitoring and all regulatory practices associated with the use of radioactive compounds. 1.7 There is no similar or equivalent ISO standard.

Document#:

ASTM D6954-04

Title:

Standard Guide for Exposing and Testing Plastics that Degrade in the Environment by a Combination of Oxidation and Biodegradation

Abstract:

This guide provides a framework or road map to compare and rank the controlled laboratory rates of degradation and degree of physical property losses of polymers by thermal and photooxidation processes as well as the biodegradation and ecological impacts in defined applications and disposal environments after degradation. Disposal environments range from exposure in soil, landfill, and compost in which thermal oxidation may occur and land cover and agricultural use in which photooxidation may also occur.1.2 In this guide, established ASTM International standards are used in three tiers for accelerating and measuring the loss in properties and molecular weight by both thermal and photooxidation processes and other abiotic processes (Tier 1), measuring biodegradation (Tier 2), and assessing ecological impact of the products from these processes (Tier 3).1.3 The Tier 1 conditions selected for thermal oxidation and photooxidation accelerate the degradation likely to occur in a chosen application and disposal environment. The conditions should include a range of humidity or water concentrations based on the application and disposal environment in mind. The measured rate of degradation at typical oxidation temperatures is required to compare and rank the polymers being evaluated in that chosen application to reach a molecular weight that constitutes a demonstrable biodegradable residue (using ASTM International biometer tests for CO2 evolution appropriate to the chosen environment). By way of example, accelerated oxidation data must be obtained at temperatures and humidity ranges typical in that chosen application and disposal environment, for example, in soil (20 to 30 degrees C), landfill (20 to 35 degrees C), and composting facilities (30 to 65 degrees C). For applications in soils, local temperatures and humidity ranges must be considered as they vary widely with geography. At least one temperature must be reasonably close to the end use or disposal temperature, but under no circumstances should this be more than 20 degrees C away from the removed that temperature. It must also be established that the polymer does not undergo a phase change, such as glass transition temperature (Tg) within the temperature range of testing.1.4 The residues resulting from the oxidations are then exposed to appropriate disposal or use environments in standard biometric test methods to measure the rate and degree of biodegradation (Tier 2).1.5 The data generated under Tier 1 evaluation and the determined time for the biodegradation in the chosen environment (Tier 2) allow ranking relative to other polymers evaluated under similar environmental conditions with this guide. The degree and time for biodegradation should be consistent with ASTM International methods, and any residues from the intermediate oxidation stage and from biodegradation must be shown to be environmentally benign and not persistent (Tier 3).Note 1 - The intended use of this guide is for comparison and ranking of data to aid in the design and development and the reduction of environmental impacts of polymers that require no more than 24 months to oxidize and biodegrade in the intended use and disposal options and create no harmful or persistent residues under the appropriate disposal conditions (for example, two seasons of crop-growing conditions in soil).1.6 It is cautioned that the results of any laboratory exposure in this guide cannot be directly extrapolated to actual disposal environments; confirmation to real world exposure is ultimately required as with all ASTM International standards.1.7 The values stated in SI units are to be regarded as standard.Note 2 - There is no ISO standard that is the equivalent of this standard guide.1.8 This standard does not purport to address all of the safety concerns, if any, associated with its use. It is the responsibility of the user of this standard to establish appropriate safety and health practices and determine the applicability of r

Document#:

ASTM D6400-99

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