ORGANIC FRACTION OF MUNICIPAL SOLID-WASTE (OFMSW) - EXTENT OF BIODEGRADATION

Municipal solid waste (MSW) consists of several fractions which respon d differently to biological degradation when they are discharged into the environment or in a landfill. This paper discusses the results of experiments and suggests the reasons why individual fractions are more or less biodegradable. The degree of intrinsic biodegradability of ea ch single organic fraction of MSW was calculated using a respirometric method (Sturm Method). This method allows kinetic interpretation of t he biodegradation process. The research carried out showed that recycl ed paperboard was the most biodegradable component, and that polyethyl ene was the least biodegradable.