Compostable single-use items as a source of micro-bioplastics in digestate

In the present paper the anaerobic biodegradation of some commercial bioplastic products was assessed. The experiments were carried out under thermophilic conditions and the specific biogas production and associated kinetics were evaluated. The products composition was investigated with the coupling of thermogravimetric and spectroscopic analythical techniques, which were also applied to the final digestate for residual microplastics detection. Potential correlations among the process parameters and product composition were derived and a delay in process kinetics with increasing amount of additives embedded in the polymeric matrix was observed, confirming the relevant influence of the chemical blend on the biodegradation process