Degradable Plastics
Glossary of Terms
Abiotic disintegration
The disintegration of plastic materials by means other than by the biological process such as dissolving, heat ageing or ultraviolet ageing.
Activated sludge
Sludge with active, live degradation microorganisms.
Adipic acid aliphatic copolyesters
Biodegradable polyester used in degradable plastic products
Adipic acid aromatic copolyesters
Biodegradable polyester used in degradable plastic products
Aerobic degradation
Degradation in the presence of air. Composting is a way of aerobic degradation.
American Society of Testing and Materials
The main standardization body in the United States (equivalent to Standards Australia in Australia)
Anaerobic degradation
Degradation in the absence of air, as occurs in dry landfills. Anaerobic degradation is also called biomethanisation.
Assimilation
The conversion of nutriments into living tissue; constructive metabolism.
Beverage Industry Environment Council
An industry association representing member companies in the beverage industry, focusing on environmental aspects linked to their commercial activities.
Biodegradable
The American Society of Testing and Materials defines biodegradable as "Capable of undergoing decomposition into carbon dioxide, methane, water, inorganic compounds, or biomass in which the predominant mechanism is the enzymatic action of microorganisms, that can be measured by standardised tests, in a specified period of time, reflecting available disposal condition." For practical purposes claims about biodegradability of plastic should specify a timeframe.
Bioerodable
Polymers that exhibit controlled degradation through the incorporation of prodegradant additive masterbatches or concentrates. Such polymers oxidise and embrittle in the environment and erode under the influence of weathering.
Biomass
The weight of all the organisms in a given population.
Certification body
A body (generally a private operation) that operates a certification scheme. A certification body may or may not be accredited by JASANZ.
Certification scheme
Not a standard but a voluntary third party scheme which certifies conformance with a performance standard (usually verifies lab test results then issues logo & certificate of conformance). See also 'certification body'
Compostable
Compostable materials are capable of undergoing biological decomposition in a compost site, to the extent that they are not visually distinguishable and break down to carbon dioxide, water, inorganic compounds, and biomass, at a rate consistent with known compostable materials (e.g. cellulose). See also 'compostable plastic'.
Compostable plastic
A polymer is 'compostable' when it is biodegradable under composting conditions. The polymer must meet the following criteria:a) Break down under the action of microorganisms (bacteria, fungi, and algae).b) Total mineralisation is obtained (conversion into CO2, H2O, inorganic compounds and biomass under aerobic conditions).c) The mineralisation rate compatible with the composting process and consistent with known compostable materials (e.g. cellulose).Australian Standards for compostable plastics are currently under development by Standards Australia, and will provide greater clarity to performance expectations.
Composting
The activity of breaking down plant and animal material using microorganisms under aerobic conditions. For successful composting there must be sufficient water and air to allow the microorganisms to break down the material, and the compost should reach and maintain a warm temperature.
Decomposer organism
An organism, usually a bacterium or a fungus, that breaks down organic material into simple chemical components, thereby returning nutrients to the environment.
De facto International Standard
A standard, which in the absence of an International Standard, is so widely used internationally that it is generally recognized as being a de facto International Standard (various CEN and ASTM standards have achieved this status).
Degradable
Degradable materials break down, by bacterial (biodegradable), thermal (oxidative) or ultraviolet (photodegradable) action. When degradation is caused by biological activity, especially by the enzymatic action of microorganisms, it is called 'biodegradation'.
Ecotoxicity
Ecotoxicity refers to the potential environmental toxicity of residues, leachate, or volatile gases produced by the plastics during biodegradation or composting.
Ethylene vinyl alcohol
A water-soluble polymer.
European Committee for Standardization
Peak standardization body for the European Union.
Foamed starch
Starch can be blown by environmentally friendly means into a foamed material using water steam. Foamed starch is antistatic, insulating and shock absorbing, therefore constituting a good replacement for polystyrene foam.
High-density polyethylene
A conventional (not biodegradable) plastic, as used commonly in single-use plastic carry bags (HDPE).
Humus
The solid organic substance that results from decay of plant or animal matter. Biodegradable plastics can form humus as they decompose. Humus in soil provides a healthy structure within which air, water and organisms can combine.
International Organisation for Standardization
An international standardisation body.
International Standard
A standard published by the International Organisation for Standardisation and commencing with ISO (eg ISO 16929).NB for electrical products the International Electrotechnical Commission (IEC) is the main international standardization body.
Japanese Institute for Standardization
The Japanese peak standardisation organisation.
Joint Accreditation Scheme of Australia and New Zealand
An international organisation established under a formal agreement between the Australian and New Zealand governments, JASANZ accredits certification bodies to give users in Australia and New Zealand confidence that goods and services certified by accredited bodies meet established standards.
Keep Australia Beautiful
Independent non-profit environmental organization which actively encourages litter reduction in Australia.
Life Cycle Analysis
A procedure which involves assessing the impacts of a product or material throughout its life cycle - ie from raw material extraction or production through manufacture and use, to disposal or recovery. Also called Life Cycle Assessment.
Life Cycle Assessment
A procedure which involves assessing the impacts of a product or material throughout its life cycle - ie from raw material extraction or production through manufacture and use, to disposal or recovery. Also called Life Cycle Analysis.
Low-density polyethylene
A thick conventional (not biodegradable) plastic, as used commonly in more durable plastic carry bags that carry logos (LDPE)
Mineralisation
Conversion of a biodegradable plastic to CO2, H2O, inorganic compounds and biomass. For instance the carbon atoms in a biodegradable plastic are transformed to CO2, which can then reenter the global carbon cycle.
Monomer
A molecule that can join with other molecules to form a large molecule called a polymer. A monomer is the smallest repeating unit in a polymer chain.
Organic recycling
Organic recycling is either the aerobic (ie composting) or anaerobic (bio-methanisation) treatment of the biodegradable materials under controlled conditions, using microorganisms to produce stabilised organic residues, methane and carbon dioxide.
Overseas Standard
A standard that is used by another country or countries but that is not an International Standard (see also de facto International Standard).
Performance standard
A standard that references one or more test methods and stipulates the results required.
Photo-biodegradation
Degradation of the polymer is triggered by UV light and assisted by the presence of UV sensitisers. In this process the polymer is converted to low molecular weight material (waxes) and in a second step converted to carbon dioxide and water by bacterial action.
Photodegradable
A process where ultraviolet radiation degrades the chemical bond or link in the polymer or chemical structure of a plastic.
Phytotoxicity
Phytotoxicity refers to toxic effects on plants. Plant phytotoxicity testing on the finished compost that contains degraded polymers can determine if the buildup of inorganic materials from the plastics is harmful to plants and crops and if they slow down soil productivity.
Plastics and Chemicals Industries Association of Australia
An industry association representing member companies in the plastics and chemicals industries in Australia (including both degradable and conventional plastics member companies).
Polybutylene succinate
Biodegradable polyester used in degradable plastic products.
Polybutylene succinate-co-adipate
Biodegradable polyester copolymer.
Polybutyrate adipate terephthalate
Biodegradable polyester used in degradable plastic products.
Polycaprolactone
Biodegradable polyester for degradable plastics eg Tone, CAPA or Placeel trade names. PCL can be used in starch-blends (eg Mater-Bi) where it provides water resistance and added strength. It is biodegradable through the action of nonspecific enzymes found in soil.
Polyesters
Polymers with ester groups in their backbone chains. All polyesters degrade eventually, with hydrolysis being the dominant mechanism. Degradation rates range from weeks for aliphatic polyesters (e.g. polyhydroxyalkanoates) to decades for aromatic polyesters (e.g. PET).
Polyethylene
A conventional (not biodegradable) plastic, as used commonly in plastic carry bags in the form of either high or low density polyethylene.
Polyethylene tetraphalate
PET - A rigid polymer (as used in soft drink bottles and other rigid applications).
Polyhydroxyalkanoates
Linear aliphatic polyesters produced in nature by bacterial fermentation of sugar or lipids.
Polyhydroxybutyrate
Biodegradable polyester used in degradable plastic products.
Polyhydroxybutyrate-valerate copolymer
Biodegradable polyester used in degradable plastic products.
Polylactic acid
Biodegradable polyester used in degradable plastic products.
Polymer
A long molecule that is made up of a chain of many small repeated units (monomers).
Polyvinyl alcohol
Water soluble polymer used in degradable plastic products.
Prodegradant
An additive that can trigger and accelerate the degradation of a polymer. Typically prodegradants (or degradation promoters) are catalytic metal compounds based on iron, cobalt and manganese.
Product standard
A standard that sets out what is expected from a particular product category. It should reference separate standards or include both test methods and performance requirements.
Recalcitrant residues
Non-biodegradable residues that remain after partial or incomplete biodegradation of a 'biodegradable' plastic. The
recalcitrant organics are the compounds that show resistance to biodegradation. Most of the synthetic polymers exhibit the phenomenon of recalcitrance because of dissimilar chemical structures to those of naturally occurring compounds.
SAI Global
SAI Global is a subsidiary of Standards Australia and specialises in the independent certification of management systems and products, together with associated educational programs.
Standards Australia
The peak non-government standards development body in Australia. Standards Australia represents Australia in the International Organization for Standardization (ISO).
Test standard
A standard that sets out a test method, but that does not indicate what result is required when performing that test.
Thermoplastic polymer
Becomes soft and 'plastic' upon heating and firm when cool, with this process able to repeated without the material becoming brittle.
Totally Degradable Plastic Additives
Commercial name for controlled degradation masterbatch additive produced by Environmental Plastics Inc
http://www.environment.gov.au