Four different end-of-life options for disposable bioplastic cups were investigated and compared based on their environmental implications. Two products with distinct polymeric composition were tested simulating the following scenarios at laboratory scale: i) industrial composting (180 days at 58 °C); ii) anaerobic digestion followed by industrial composting (45 days at 55 °C and 180 days at 58 °C); iii) anaerobic digestion followed by direct digestate use on soil for agricultural purposes (45 days at 55 °C and 180 days at 25 °C); iv) uncontrolled release into a soil environment (180 days at 25 °C). Ecotoxicity tests were run at the end of each experiment to investigate the effects of the materials on three main groups of terrestrial model organisms: plants, earthworms and nitrifying bacteria. Complete biodegradation of the cups was observed in 180 days in the scenarios involving composting environment. A low degree of biodegradation (22.9 ± 4.5%) of the digestates in soil was observed, warning for a potential micro-bioplastics discharge into the environment. No degradation was observed for the cups in soil during the same testing period. Ecotoxicity tests revealed a negative effect on plants biomass growth across all samples, which was 17–30% lower compared to the blank sample. The experimental campaign highlighted the need for a systematic assessment of controlled treatment of bioplastics, as well as the need for a harmonized legislative framework.
Alternative end-of-life options for disposable bioplastic products: Degradation and ecotoxicity assessment in compost and soil / Falzarano, M.; Marìn, A.; Cabedo, L.; Polettini, A.; Pomi, R.; Rossi, A.; Zonfa, T.. - In: CHEMOSPHERE. - ISSN 0045-6535. - 362:(2024). [10.1016/j.chemosphere.2024.142648]
Alternative end-of-life options for disposable bioplastic products: Degradation and ecotoxicity assessment in compost and soil
Falzarano M.
;Polettini, A.;Pomi, R.;Rossi, A.;Zonfa, T.
2024
Abstract
Four different end-of-life options for disposable bioplastic cups were investigated and compared based on their environmental implications. Two products with distinct polymeric composition were tested simulating the following scenarios at laboratory scale: i) industrial composting (180 days at 58 °C); ii) anaerobic digestion followed by industrial composting (45 days at 55 °C and 180 days at 58 °C); iii) anaerobic digestion followed by direct digestate use on soil for agricultural purposes (45 days at 55 °C and 180 days at 25 °C); iv) uncontrolled release into a soil environment (180 days at 25 °C). Ecotoxicity tests were run at the end of each experiment to investigate the effects of the materials on three main groups of terrestrial model organisms: plants, earthworms and nitrifying bacteria. Complete biodegradation of the cups was observed in 180 days in the scenarios involving composting environment. A low degree of biodegradation (22.9 ± 4.5%) of the digestates in soil was observed, warning for a potential micro-bioplastics discharge into the environment. No degradation was observed for the cups in soil during the same testing period. Ecotoxicity tests revealed a negative effect on plants biomass growth across all samples, which was 17–30% lower compared to the blank sample. The experimental campaign highlighted the need for a systematic assessment of controlled treatment of bioplastics, as well as the need for a harmonized legislative framework.File | Dimensione | Formato | |
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