Anaerobic Degradability of Commercially Available Bio-Based and Oxo-Degradable Packaging Materials in the Context of their End of Life in the Waste Management Strategy

There are discrepancies concerning the time frame for biodegradation of different commercially available foils labeled as biodegradable; thus, it is essential to provide information about their biodegradability in context end life waste management. Therefore, one-year mesophilic (37 °C) anaerobic degradation tests two bio-based (based on starch (FS), polylactic acid (FPLA)) and oxo-degradable material (FOXO) were conducted an OxiTop system. Biodegradation was investigated by measuring biogas production (BP) analyzing structural changes with differential scanning calorimetry, polarizing digital microscopic analyses, Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy. After 1 year, FOXO had not degraded; there no visible its surface BP. The materials produced small amounts (25.2, FPLA, 30.4 L/kg VS, FS), constituting 2.1–2.5% theoretical methane potential. foil pieces still only starting show damage; some pores appeared structure. structure FPLA became more heterogeneous due water diffusing into In contrast, FS homogenous although individual cracks fissures appeared. color changed, indicating that beginning biodegrade. fact showed minor damage after a indicates that, these conditions, would persist unknown but long amount time.