Report: Ultimate degradability of various kinds of biodegradable plastics under controlled composting conditions

Eight kinds of biodegradable plastics were examined in controlled laborator y composting conditions for their degradability. Ultimate degradability, de fined as a molar ratio of carbon loss as CO2 to the carbon contained in the plastic particles or pellets that have been added to the composting materi al, was calculated. The ultimate degradability of the biodegradable plastic was found to be dependent strongly on the kind of the plastic. The degrada bility of the eight kinds of plastics tested herein ranged from a small per centage to approximately 65% over the 8-day period of the 50 degrees C comp osting.