ISO 15985 is the globally recognized norm that provides methodology for anaerobic biodegradability of plastic materials applied in high-solid conditions (like industrial anaerobic digesters). The growing use of biodegradable plastics has also led to a larger demand for standardized ways to measure and compare the environmentally friendly sensitivity of these materials. Standards like ISO 14855 (among others) are for aerobic degradation (in the presence of oxygen). However, most waste treatment plants are using anaerobic digestion due to its efficiency and gas production in modern days. Consequently, ISO 15985 fills the gap to offer methods for testing the anaerobic degradation (or nondegradation–the industry standards) of polymeric materials at high solids concentrations and thus allows authenticating biodegradability claims.
ISO 15985 Test Method
| Test procedure | The biodegradation test is designed to simulate the typical anaerobic environment of the organic fraction of municipal wastes (which is going to be anaerobically digested). The procedure at 52ºC and the intended % carbon in the test material that is digestible to biogas digestibility. |
