Biomethane Potential in Anaerobic Biodegradation of Commercial Bioplastic Materials

Bioplastics have emerged as a promising alternative to conventional plastics, marketed environmentally friendly and sustainable materials. They provide variety of methods for efficient waste management contributing the goals circular economy. At their end-of-life stage, bioplastics can generate added value through aerobic anaerobic biological treatments (composting or digestion). In this study, biomethane potential (BMP) tests were carried out under mesophilic conditions on eight different catering biodegradable plastics available in market certified being industrial composting conditions. Chemical analysis included elemental analysis, Fourier-transform infrared spectroscopy, inductively coupled plasma–optical emission spectrometry. Key differences observed total solids (TS) volatile (VS) contents between studied biopolymer products. TS values ranged 85.00 ± 0.26% (Product 8) 99.16 0.23% 4), whereas VS content 64.57 0.25 %wm 6) 99.14 0.17 4). Elemental (elements C, H, N, S, O) was used estimate theoretical methane production (ThBMP) each product. The highest ThBMP (538.6 8.7 NmL/gVS) Product 4 correlated with C H contents, while lowest (431.8 6.1 2. Significant recorded BMP according chemical composition polymers. average 50.4 2.1 NmL/gVS 437.5 1.0 NmL/gVS. Despite characterized by same (cellulose/cellulose derivatives calcium carbonate), Products 2, 3, 6 revealed significant terms TS, VS, ThBMP, BMP. Furthermore, statistical relationship (p < 0.001) found time (days) products (R2 = 0.899–0.964) during initial phase. study confirmed that cellulose-based materials convert efficiently into methane, at relatively short retention time; hence, they be regarded material co-digestion feedstock biogas plants. contrast, biodegradation polylactic acids (PLA) does not occur conditions, pre-treatment polymers is recommended. Moreover, PLA-containing are highly affected presence other components (e.g., polybutylene adipate terephthalate cellulose/cellulose derivatives).