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Biodegradability Overview
Kelvin T . Okamoto/Green Bottom Line, Inc. Indiana Food Scrap Initiative Indiana Recycling Coalition, Indianapolis, IN August 10, 2016
Biodegradability Overview Kelvin T . Okamoto/Green Bottom Line, - - PowerPoint PPT Presentation
Biodegradability Overview Kelvin T . Okamoto/Green Bottom Line, - - PowerPoint PPT Presentation
Biodegradability Overview Kelvin T . Okamoto/Green Bottom Line, Inc. Indiana Food Scrap Initiative Indiana Recycling Coalition, Indianapolis, IN August 10, 2016 Agenda Terminology Testing and Specification Certification Agencies
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Terminology
Degradable: able to break down due to chemical, environmental or biological action Biodegradable: able to break down from the action of naturally-occurring organisms such as bacteria, fungi and algae to produce humus/digestate, methane, carbon dioxide and water Compostable: able to break down from the proper combination of heat, moisture, air and micro-organisms to produce humus, water and carbon dioxide
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Terminology
Types of biodegradation
Ø Industrial composting Ø Home composting Ø Anaerobic digestion Ø Soil biodegradation Ø Aquatic biodegradation
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Terminology
End of Life Terms
Degradable Biodegradable Compostable (Industrial/Home) Anaerobically Digestible Oxo-degradable Photodegradable Marine Biodegradable Soil Degradable Hydrolyzable Landfill Degradable
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Testing and Specification
Standards Agencies:
u ASTM u CEN u ISO u And others
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Testing and Specification
General requirements for industrial compostability:
Ø Heavy metal content <50% of local sludge
requirements
Ø Disintegration in <84 days Ø Biodegradation in < 180 days Ø No plant ecotoxicity
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Certification
Industrial compostability certification agencies:
Ø Biodegradable Products Institute (BPI) Ø Canadian Compost Council (CCC) Ø Vinçotte Ø DIN Certco Ø and others
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Who Watches
US watchdog organizations:
Ø US Federal Trade Commission (FTC) Ø Guides for the Use of Environmental
Marketing Claims
Ø State of California Ø State of Vermont Ø BBB National Advertising Division (NAD) Ø and others
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Takeaway
No correlation between biobased content and biodegradability
u Bioplastics example u Holds true for other materials too Biodegradable Bioplastic Bioplastic Not Biodegradable Bioplastic Not Bioplastic Biobased Not Biobased
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Questions
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Contact Information
Kelvin T . Okamoto, PhD Green Bottom Line, Inc. 12972 Deerstyne Green St. Carmel, IN 46032 847-271-9285 kelvin@greenbottomline.com Skype: ktokamoto