| One of the greatest concerns of modern times is | | | | to biodegradation. For example the degraded |
| environmental pollution. We get to hear issues like | | | | matter when reaches the granular level will be |
| global warming and ozone depletion on a | | | | consumed by microorganisms and so |
| day-to-day basis. All these stem from the pollution | | | | biodegradation will occur. However the |
| of the biosphere. Litter is one of the biggest | | | | biodegradation of different materials happens at |
| causes of pollution that regulations and educational | | | | different speeds. |
| programs have been unsuccessful in eradicating. | | | | A product has to undergo 4 phases of testing to |
| Neither does an ordinary plastic bag decompose | | | | be called compostable. The first phase comprises |
| nor does it allow decomposition of substances | | | | the analysis of characteristics of the material. It |
| within it. Under such circumstances compostable | | | | indicates permissible levels for volatile content and |
| packaging is very useful. The plastic carry bags | | | | does an infrared analysis of the material. The |
| are one of the chief instruments of growing | | | | phase two includes aerobic biodegradation under |
| pollution. | | | | controlled composting conditions. The test |
| Compostable packaging when disposed in a | | | | continues for 76 days at 58°C. Thereby an |
| compost facility will decompose in less than 60 | | | | inoculum is extracted and a quantitative test is |
| days. These environmentally friendly packaging | | | | done one it. The third phase includes pilot scale |
| materials are concurrent to the ASTM D6400 and | | | | composting and sieving test. It determines the |
| EN 13432 standards. The bags and cups made of | | | | degree of biodegradation that the product can |
| environmentally friendly packaging ingredients will | | | | undergo. A physical, chemical and eco-toxicity |
| degrade at 60 degrees centigrade. The bacteria in | | | | tests is carried out of the compost. The phase 4 |
| the soil will transform the packaging material in to | | | | checks if the compost id without any toxic |
| biomass, carbon dioxide and water. These | | | | effects. The compostable bags are made of |
| enviropacks are also compliant with emission | | | | starch based polymers, polyesters (Bacteria |
| standards. According to the standard a matter is | | | | based polymers), starch or polyester blends, |
| considered biodegradable if it decomposes in the | | | | oxo-biodegradable polymers, photodegradable |
| soil to the level so that the soil can be used for | | | | polymers, water-soluble polymers and many |
| plantation without any toxic effects. | | | | more. |
| The compost formation happens through | | | | Under the growing concern about the |
| degradation. Degradation is a process in which | | | | environment, compostable package systems are |
| large molecules are broken into smaller fragments. | | | | rightly developed to make the routine tasks of |
| However, there is a difference between | | | | waste reduction easier, safer and better for the |
| 'degradable' and 'biodegradable'. Degradation is | | | | ecology. As a responsible citizen of this earth, you |
| caused by moisture and UV exposure. In | | | | should take small steps that you can to protect |
| biodegradation, it is microorganisms that carry out | | | | the ecosystem. The foremost simple step would |
| decomposition of products. The biodegradable | | | | be to bid buy to ordinary plastic bags and use the |
| products take a longer span of time for | | | | biodegradable once. Moreover, the compostable |
| decomposition. But all degradation ultimately leads | | | | bags are also cheap and affordable. |