ASTM D5338-98(2003)

Standard Test Method for Determining Aerobic Biodegradation of Plastic Materials Under Controlled Composting Conditions

SIGNIFICANCE AND USE
Biodegradation of a plastic within a composting unit is an important phenomenon because it will affect the decomposition of other materials enclosed by the plastic and the resulting quality and appearance of the composted material. Biodegradation of plastics will also allow the safe disposal of these plastics through solid-waste composting plants. This procedure has been developed to permit the determination of the rate and degree of aerobic biodegradability of plastic products when placed in a controlled composting process.  
Limitations—Because there is a wide variation in the construction and operation of composting systems and because regulatory requirements for composting systems vary, this procedure is not intended to simulate the environment of any particular composting system. However, it is expected to resemble the environment of a composting process operated under optimum conditions. More specifically, the procedure is intended to create a standard laboratory environment that will permit a rapid and reproducible determination of the aerobic biodegradability under controlled composting conditions.
SCOPE
1.1 This test method determines the degree and rate of aerobic biodegradation of plastic materials on exposure to a controlled-composting environment under laboratory conditions. This test method is designed to yield reproducible and repeatable test results under controlled conditions that resemble composting conditions. The test substances are exposed to an inoculum that is derived from compost from municipal solid waste. The aerobic composting takes place in an environment where temperature, aeration and humidity are closely monitored and controlled.
1.2 This test method is designed to yield a percentage of conversion of carbon in the sample to carbon dioxide. The rate of biodegradation is monitored as well.
1.3 This test method is designed to be applicable to all plastic materials that are not inhibitory to the microorganisms present in aerobic composting piles.
1.4 The values stated in SI units are to be regarded as the standard.
1.5 This standard does not purport to address all of the safety concerns, if any, associated with its use. It is the responsibility of the user of this standard to establish appropriate safety and health practices and determine the applicability of regulatory limitations prior to use. Specific hazard statements are given in Section 8.
1.6 This test method is equivalent to ISO 14852.

General Information

• Status: Historical
• Publication Date: 30-Nov-2003
• ICS: 83.080.01 - Plastics in general
• Technical Committee: D20 - Plastics
• Drafting Committee: D20.96 - Environmentally Degradable Plastics and Biobased Products

Relations

• Replaces: ASTM D5338-98e1 - Standard Test Method for Determining Aerobic Biodegradation of Plastic Materials Under Controlled Composting Conditions
• Effective Date: 01-Dec-2003
• Replaced By: ASTM D5338-11 - Standard Test Method for Determining Aerobic Biodegradation of Plastic Materials Under Controlled Composting Conditions, Incorporating Thermophilic Temperatures
• Effective Date: 01-Apr-2011
• Referred By: ASTM D5975-17 - Standard Test Method for Determining the Stability of Compost by Measuring Oxygen Consumption
• Effective Date: 01-Dec-2003
• Referred By: ASTM D8410-22 - Standard Specification for Evaluation of Cellulosic-Fiber-Based Packaging Materials and Products for Compostability in Municipal or Industrial Aerobic Composting Facilities
• Effective Date: 01-Dec-2003
• Referred By: ASTM D6868-21 - Standard Specification for Labeling of End Items that Incorporate Plastics and Polymers as Coatings or Additives with Paper and Other Substrates Designed to be Aerobically Composted in Municipal or Industrial Facilities
• Effective Date: 01-Dec-2003
• Referred By: ASTM D6954-18 - Standard Guide for Exposing and Testing Plastics that Degrade in the Environment by a Combination of Oxidation and Biodegradation
• Effective Date: 01-Dec-2003
• Referred By: ASTM D6400-23 - Standard Specification for Labeling of Plastics Designed to be Aerobically Composted in Municipal or Industrial Facilities
• Effective Date: 01-Dec-2003
• Referred By: ASTM D5988-18 - Standard Test Method for Determining Aerobic Biodegradation of Plastic Materials in Soil
• Effective Date: 01-Dec-2003
• Referred By: ASTM D7444-18a - Standard Practice for Heat and Humidity Aging of Oxidatively Degradable Plastics
• Effective Date: 01-Dec-2003

Standards Content (Sample)

NOTICE: This standard has either been superseded and replaced by a new version or withdrawn.
Contact ASTM International (www.astm.org) for the latest information
Designation:D5338–98 (Reapproved 2003)
Standard Test Method for
Determining Aerobic Biodegradation of Plastic Materials
1
Under Controlled Composting Conditions
This standard is issued under the fixed designation D5338; the number immediately following the designation indicates the year of
original adoption or, in the case of revision, the year of last revision.Anumber in parentheses indicates the year of last reapproval.A
superscript epsilon (´) indicates an editorial change since the last revision or reapproval.
1. Scope D1888 Test Methods for Particulate and Dissolved Matter,
3
Solids, or Residue in Water
1.1 This test method determines the degree and rate of
D2908 Practice for Measuring Volatile Organic Matter in
aerobic biodegradation of plastic materials on exposure to a
Water by Aqueous-Injection Gas Chromatography
controlled-composting environment under laboratory condi-
D3590 Test Methods for Total Kjeldahl Nitrogen in Water
tions. This test method is designed to yield reproducible and
D4129 Test Method for Total and Organic Carbon in Water
repeatable test results under controlled conditions that re-
by High Temperature Oxidation and by Coulometric De-
semblecompostingconditions.Thetestsubstancesareexposed
tection
to an inoculum that is derived from compost from municipal
E260 Practice for Packed Column Gas Chromatography
solid waste. The aerobic composting takes place in an envi-
E355 Practice for Gas Chromatography Terms and Rela-
ronment where temperature, aeration and humidity are closely
tionships
monitored and controlled.
2.2 APHA—AWWA—WPCF Standards:
1.2 This test method is designed to yield a percentage of
4
2540D Total Suspended Solids Dried at 103 to 105°C
conversion of carbon in the sample to carbon dioxide.The rate
4
2540E Fixed and Volatile Solids Ignited at 550°C
of biodegradation is monitored as well.
2.3 ISO Standard:
1.3 This test method is designed to be applicable to all
ISO14855 Plastics—Evaluation of the Ultimate Aerobic
plastic materials that are not inhibitory to the microorganisms
Biodegradability and Disintegration Under Controlled
present in aerobic composting piles.
Composting Conditions—Method by Analysis of Re-
1.4 The values stated in SI units are to be regarded as the
5
leased Carbon Dioxide
standard.
1.5 This standard does not purport to address all of the
3. Terminology
safety concerns, if any, associated with its use. It is the
3.1 Definitions—Definitions of terms applying to this test
responsibility of the user of this standard to establish appro-
method appear in Terminology D883.
priate safety and health practices and determine the applica-
bility of regulatory limitations prior to use. Specific hazard
4. Summary of Test Method
statements are given in Section 8.
4.1 This test method consists of the following:
1.6 This test method is equivalent to ISO14855.
4.1.1 Selection of plastic material for the determination of
2. Referenced Documents the aerobic biodegradability in a controlled-composting sys-
2 tem,
2.1 ASTM Standards:
4.1.2 Obtaining an inoculum from composted municipal
D618 Practice for Conditioning Plastics for Testing
solid waste,
D883 Terminology Relating to Plastics
4.1.3 Exposing the test substances to a controlled aerobic
D1293 Test Methods for pH of Water
composting process in conjunction with the inoculum,
4.1.4 Measuring carbon dioxide evolved as a function of
1
ThistestmethodisunderthejurisdictionofASTMCommitteeD20onPlastics
time, and
and is the direct responsibility of Subcommittee D20.96 on Environmentally
4.1.5 Assessing the degree of biodegradability.
Degradable Plastics and Biobased Products.
Current edition approved Dec. 1, 2003. Published January 2004. Originally
´1
approved in 1992. Last previous edition approved in 1998 as D5338-98 . DOI:
3
10.1520/D5338-98R03. Discontinued.
2 4
For referenced ASTM standards, visit the ASTM website, www.astm.org, or Standard Methods for the Examination of Water and Wastewater, 17th Edition,
contact ASTM Customer Service at [e-mail]. For Annual Book of ASTM 1989,American Public HealthAssociation, 1740 Broadway, NewYork, NY19919.
5
Standards volume information, refer to the standard’s Document Summary page on Available fromAmerican National Standards Institute (ANSI), 25 W. 43rd St.,
the ASTM website. 4th Floor, New York, NY 10036.
Copyright © ASTM International, 100 Barr Harbor Drive, PO Box C700, West Conshohocken, PA 19428-2959, United States.
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D5338–98 (2003)
4.2 The percentage of biodegradability is obtained by de- 6.1.3 Pressurized-Air System, that provides CO -free, H O-
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termining the percentage of carbon in the test substance that is saturated air to each of the composting vessels at accurate
converted to CO during the duration of the test. This percent- aeration rates.
...