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Claims on Biodegradability and Compostability on Products and Packaging

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Claims on Biodegradability and Compostability on Products and Packaging EuropeanEuropean Bioplastics Bioplastics e.V. Marienstr. e.V. Marienstr. 19/20 19/20 10117 Berlin 10117 Berlin EuropeanEuropean Bioplastics Bioplastics e.V. e.V. European Bioplastics e.V. Marienstr. 19/20 10117 Berlin European Bioplastics e.V. Marienstr.Marienstr. 19/20, 19/20, 10117 10117 Berlin Berlin phone phone+49.30.28+49.30.28 48 23 48 50 23 50 fax fax+49.30.28Marienstr.+49.30.28 48 19/20,23 48 59 23 1011759 Berlin [email protected][email protected] 48 23 50 webfax webwww.european-bioplastics.org+49.30.28www.european-bioplastics.org 48 23 59 e-mail [email protected] web www.european-bioplastics.org European Bioplastics CLAIMS ON BIODEGRADABILITY AND COMPOSTABILITY ON PRODUCTS AND PACKAGING Claims about biodegradability and compostability are wide- vironmental conditions, the rate of biodegradation can vary ly used to label products and packaging regarding their end- for different products or materials. Thus, for example, fruit of-life. Biodegradation can take place in different systems pulp will biodegrade faster than fruit peelings or wood. (industrial or home composting) and environments (soil, Claiming biodegradability water). In general, the sole claim “biodegradable” on products and What is biodegradability? packaging, without indicating specific standards or environ- Biodegradability is the potential of a material to follow the ments in which the biodegradation takes place, is mislead- process of biodegradation. Biodegradation1 is a biochemi- ing and therefore should not be used.4 Biodegradability cal process during which microorganisms that are present claims must be transparent and verifiable and supported in the environment convert biodegradable materials into by standards that define the scope, i.e. the reference frame- carbon dioxide, water, and new biomass. Whether or not a work, the testing methodologies and criteria to be used, as material is biodegradable, depends on the chemical struc- well as the relevant environment.5 ture of the molecule and not on the origin of the raw mate- The sole term biodegradable shall not be used as a claim rial.2 ! on any consumer packaging. The process of biodegradation is influenced significantly All consumer claims shall be made with reference to by the surrounding environmental conditions. Tempera- ! relevant certification or test reports. ture, water content, nutrient availability, pH-value, supply of oxygen, concentration and activity of microorganisms etc. all affect the rate of biodegradation.3 Under similar en- 1 Ultimate aerobic biodegradation as defined in ISO 17088: Specification for compostable plastics. Besides aerobic biodegradation, also a technology called anaerobic biodegradation (AD) exists, in which biodegradation takes place in closed systems in the absence of oxygen, where a part of the carbon is converted into methane. For biodegradation in AD, no specific standard or certification exists. 2 For an overview of biodegradable polymers in different environments, please see “Biodegradable Polymers in Various Environments”, a graphic compiled by nova Institute. 2020. Available for download at bio-based.eu/graphics. 3 The types of microorganisms that are present to biodegrade the material are also influenced by these factors. Biodegradation is monitored by measuring the formation of carbon dioxide during the biodegradation process of the material. 4 Some countries, like Belgium, even prohibit by law to use the term “biodegradable” on a product. 5 The standard ISO 14021 contains additional information on how biodegradability should be communicated. VR 19997VR 19997 Nz, Amtsgericht Nz, Amtsgericht Charlottenburg, Charlottenburg, USt-IdNr. USt-IdNr. DE235874231 DE235874231 HypoVereinsbankHypoVereinsbank Rosenheim, Rosenheim, BLZ 711BLZ 200 711 77, 200 Konto 77, Konto 6356800, 6356800, IBAN IBAN DE26 DE26 7112 00777112 00770006 0006 3568 00,3568 BIC/SWIFT 00, BIC/SWIFT HYVEDEMM448 HYVEDEMM448 VR 19997 Nz, Amtsgericht Charlottenburg, USt-IdNr. DE235874231 HypoVereinsbank Rosenheim, BLZ 711 200 77, Konto 6356800, IBAN DE26 7112 0077 0006 3568 00, BIC/SWIFT HYVEDEMM448 EuropeanIndustrialEuropean Bioplastics andBioplastics e.V. home Marienstr. e.V. composting Marienstr. 19/20 19/20 10117 Berlin 10117 Berlin compostable”. Local EuropeanregulationsEuropean Bioplastics on Bioplastics the e.V.treatment e.V. of indus- European Bioplastics e.V. Marienstr. 19/20 10117 Berlin trially compostable products European should Bioplastics be considered e.V. when When claiming compostability, a term which describes Marienstr.Marienstr. 19/20, 19/20, 10117 10117 Berlin Berlin communicating this end-of-life option. This could be done biodegradability under composting conditions, clear refer- phonephone+49.30.28+49.30.28 48 23 48 50 23 50 by a suggestion faxon thefax+49.30.28Marienstr. product+49.30.28 48 to 19/20,23 check 48 59 23 1011759with the Berlin local waste ence should be made as to whether the statement refers phone +49.30.28 48 23 50 managemente-mail [email protected]@european-bioplastics.org to industrial or home composting conditions. The isolated webfax webwww.european-bioplastics.org+49.30.28www.european-bioplastics.org 48 23 59 claim that a product is “compostable” is misleading and Biodegradablee-mail in [email protected] composting piles/home compostable should not be used. web www.european-bioplastics.org A material is home compostable when it biodegrades un- Industrially compostable der the conditions prevailing in home composting. When referring to “home”, “backyard”, or “garden” composting, Industrial composting takes place in dedicated large-scale an aerobic breakdown of organic material at ambient tem- municipal or commercial composting facilities under con- perature is meant, usually in small-scale composters or by trolled conditions specifying e.g. temperature, humidity, “slow-stack” treatment methods. However, compared to residence time, composition, and air oxygen supply. These industrial composting, a precise control of temperature, parameters are constantly monitored and steered. In Eu- moisture level, oxygen supply, and residence time is difficult rope, the standard EN 134326 provides requirements that to achieve. There is no final quality control of the compost. need to be met to test and certify packaging as industrially Home composting must be operated according to good compostable. It is the basis for certification programs de- home composting practice, as there are no standardized veloped by EUBP, DIN CERTCO, and TÜV Austria. In other or completely controlled conditions. It is influenced by mul- regions, similar standards and certification schemes verify- tiple factors such as weather conditions and composting ing industrial compostability are in place.7 practice. It is also a much slower process than industrial The following labels prove biodegradability under industrial composting, involving a comparatively smaller volume of composting conditions: waste, and it is not suitable for treating large quantities throughout the year.10 While there already exists a French norm for home com- postability11, a European norm for home compostable car- rier bags is currently under development. This prEN 17427 When claiming industrial compostability, products should sets the maximum duration to reach 90% disintegration at ideally be certified according to EN 13432 and the accord- 26 weeks, compared to 12 weeks for the industrial compost- ing certification schemes.8 In this way, it is ensured that the ing standard (EN 13432), and includes a guidance on best material has been tested for its composition, disintegration practice of home composting. As with EN 13432, certifica- biodegradability under industrial composting conditions, tion schemes for home compostability ensure a control of to guarantee that the resulting compost is of good quality biodegradability, environmentally safe chemical composi- and that the products do not have a negative impact on the tion, and disintegration. environment. Today, the following labels prove biodegradability under A claim of “industrial compostability” should be made only home composting conditions12: if the product helps to divert organic waste from landfill or incineration to composting facilities or if it prevents the formation of persistent microplastics from conventional plastic products commonly incorrectly disposed of in the organic waste stream.9 Products and packaging for which Communication on compostability shall use the collection and treatment in an industrial composting facil- ! terms industrially compostable or home compostable. ity is highly unlikely should not be labelled as “industrially 6 EN 13432: Packaging - Requirements for packaging recoverable through composting and biodegradation - Test scheme and evaluation criteria for the final acceptance of packaging. EN 13432:2000. It is a harmonized European standard developed by an independent expert committee within CEN. EN 14995 is the equivalent standard for plastics in general. 7 Such as the BPI certification in the United States or ABA certification in Australia. VR8 Similar 19997VR standards 19997 Nz, Amtsgericht provingNz, Amtsgericht compostability Charlottenburg, are Charlottenburg, ISO 18606 or ASTM USt-IdNr. D USt-IdNr.6400. ForDE235874231 further DE235874231 standards and test methods, see: Bioplastics – Industry Standards and Labels. European Bioplastics. September 2019. 9 E.g.: It does not make sense to claim a raincoat is compostable
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