Microplastics Release from Conventional Plastics during Real Open Windrow Composting

The recycling of bio-waste plays an important role in a circular economy as it transforms into valuable resource (organic fertilizer). However, even separately collected can contain some plastic waste, which is usually separated after composting and not before it. Primary studies have confirmed the degradation during composting, but release microplastics from them has been studied. This article presents quantification comparison commonly used plastics green waste composting. Microplastics were identified by Nile red staining examination under fluorescent microscope. Plastic was assessed weight loss calculation, scanning electron microscope (SEM), Fourier-transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR) analysis. On average, 17 to 52 microplastics’ are released 5-by-5 cm pieces conventional control polylactic acid sample showed smallest amount microplastics: four particles on average. number depended polymer type thickness samples. results current be further for prediction microplastic generation setting limit content