ASTM D5338-15(2021)
(Test Method)Standard Test Method for Determining Aerobic Biodegradation of Plastic Materials Under Controlled Composting Conditions, Incorporating Thermophilic Temperatures
Standard Test Method for Determining Aerobic Biodegradation of Plastic Materials Under Controlled Composting Conditions, Incorporating Thermophilic Temperatures
SIGNIFICANCE AND USE
5.1 Biodegradation of a plastic within a composting unit is an important phenomenon because it may 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 large, professionally-managed composting plants and well-run residential units, where thermophilic temperatures are achieved. 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.
5.2 Limitations—Because there is a wide variation in the construction and operation of composting facilities 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 where thermophilic temperatures are achieved. 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, at thermophilic temperatures. This test method is designed to yield reproducible and repeatable test results under controlled conditions that resemble composting conditions, where thermophilic temperatures are achieved. 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.
Note 1: During composting, thermophilic temperatures are most readily achieved in large-scale, professionally-managed facilities. However, these temperatures may also be reached in smaller residential composting units, frequently referred to as “backyard” or “home” composting.
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, which are intended to be composted in facilities that achieve thermophilic temperatures.
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, health, and environmental practices and determine the applicability of regulatory limitations prior to use. Specific hazard statements are given in Section 8.
1.6 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.
1.7 This test method is equivalent to ISO 14855.
1.8 This international standard was developed in accordance with internationally recognized principles on standardization established in the Decision on Principles for the Development of International Standards, Guides and Recommendations issued by the World Trade Organization Technical Barriers to Trade (TBT) Committee.
General Information
Standards Content (Sample)
This international standard was developed in accordance with internationally recognized principles on standardization established in the Decision on Principles for the
Development of International Standards, Guides and Recommendations issued by the World Trade Organization Technical Barriers to Trade (TBT) Committee.
Designation: D5338 − 15 (Reapproved 2021)
Standard Test Method for
Determining Aerobic Biodegradation of Plastic Materials
Under Controlled Composting Conditions, Incorporating
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Thermophilic Temperatures
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 responsibility of the user of this standard to establish appro-
priate safety and health practices and determine the applica-
1.1 This test method determines the degree and rate of
bility of regulatory limitations prior to use.
aerobic biodegradation of plastic materials on exposure to a
1.7 This test method is equivalent to ISO14855.
controlled-composting environment under laboratory
1.8 This international standard was developed in accor-
conditions, at thermophilic temperatures. This test method is
dance with internationally recognized principles on standard-
designedtoyieldreproducibleandrepeatabletestresultsunder
ization established in the Decision on Principles for the
controlled conditions that resemble composting conditions,
Development of International Standards, Guides and Recom-
where thermophilic temperatures are achieved. The test sub-
mendations issued by the World Trade Organization Technical
stances are exposed to an inoculum that is derived from
Barriers to Trade (TBT) Committee.
compost from municipal solid waste. The aerobic composting
takes place in an environment where temperature, aeration and
2. Referenced Documents
humidity are closely monitored and controlled.
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2.1 ASTM Standards:
NOTE 1—During composting, thermophilic temperatures are most
D618Practice for Conditioning Plastics for Testing
readily achieved in large-scale, professionally-managed facilities.
D883Terminology Relating to Plastics
However, these temperatures may also be reached in smaller residential
composting units, frequently referred to as “backyard” or “home” com-
D1293Test Methods for pH of Water
posting.
D2908Practice for Measuring Volatile Organic Matter in
1.2 This test method is designed to yield a percentage of Water by Aqueous-Injection Gas Chromatography
conversion of carbon in the sample to carbon dioxide.The rate D3590Test Methods for Total Kjeldahl Nitrogen in Water
of biodegradation is monitored as well. D4129Test Method for Total and Organic Carbon in Water
by High Temperature Oxidation and by Coulometric
1.3 This test method is designed to be applicable to all
Detection
plastic materials, which are intended to be composted in
E260Practice for Packed Column Gas Chromatography
facilities that achieve thermophilic temperatures.
E355PracticeforGasChromatographyTermsandRelation-
1.4 The values stated in SI units are to be regarded as the
ships
standard.
2.2 APHA—AWWA—WPCF Standards:
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1.5 This standard does not purport to address all of the
2540DTotal Suspended Solids Dried at 103 to 105°C
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safety concerns, if any, associated with its use. It is the
2540EFixed and Volatile Solids Ignited at 550°C
responsibility of the user of this standard to establish appro-
2.3 ISO Standard:
priate safety, health, and environmental practices and deter-
ISO14855Plastics—Evaluation of the Ultimate Aerobic
mine the applicability of regulatory limitations prior to use.
Biodegradability and Disintegration Under Controlled
Specific hazard statements are given in Section 8.
Composting Conditions—Method by Analysis of Re-
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1.6 This standard does not purport to address all of the
leased Carbon Dioxide
safety concerns, if any, associated with its use. It is the
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For referenced ASTM standards, visit the ASTM website, www.astm.org, or
contact ASTM Customer Service at service@astm.org. For Annual Book of ASTM
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ThistestmethodisunderthejurisdictionofASTMCommitteeD20onPlastics Standards volume information, refer to the standard’s Document Summary page on
and is the direct responsibility of Subcommittee D20.96 on Environmentally the ASTM website.
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Degradable Plastics and Biobased Products. Standard Methods for the Examination of Water and Wastewater, 17th Edition,
Current edition approved Jan. 15, 2021. Published January 2021. Originally 1989,American Public HealthAssociation, 1740 Broadway, NewYork, NY19919.
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approved in 1992. Last previous edition approved in 2015 as D5338-15. DOI: Available fromAmerican National Standards Institute (ANSI), 25 W. 43rd St.,
10.1520/D5338-15R21. 4th Floor, New York, NY 10036, http://www.ansi.org.
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