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Assessment of Disintegration of Compostable Bioplastic Bags by Management of Electromechanical and Static Home Composters

Author

Listed:
  • Lorenzo Maria Cafiero

    (Department for Sustainability, ENEA—Casaccia Research Center, 00123 Rome, Italy)

  • Margherita Canditelli

    (Department for Sustainability, ENEA—Casaccia Research Center, 00123 Rome, Italy)

  • Fabio Musmeci

    (Department for Sustainability, ENEA—Casaccia Research Center, 00123 Rome, Italy)

  • Giulia Sagnotti

    (Technical Assistance Unit, Sogesid c/o Ministry of the Environment, Land and Sea, 00147 Rome, Italy)

  • Riccardo Tuffi

    (Department for Sustainability, ENEA—Casaccia Research Center, 00123 Rome, Italy)

Abstract

Interest in small scale composting systems is currently growing, and this in turn raises the question of whether the compostable bags are as suitable as in industrial composting facilities. In this work the physical degradation percentage of compostable lightweight bioplastic bags in two types of composter was examined. The main goal was to understand whether the mild biodegrading conditions that occur in electromechanical or static home composters are sufficient to cause effective bag degradation in times consistent with the householders’ or operators’ expectations. Bags, which complied with standard EN 13432, were composted in a number of 600 L static home composters, which were run in different ways (e.g., fed only with vegetables and yard waste, optimizing the humid/bulking agent fraction, poorly managed) and a 1 m 3 electromechanical composter. Six months of residence time in static home composters resulted in 90–96 wt% degradation depending on the management approach adopted, and two months in the electromechanical composter achieved 90 wt%. In the latter case, three additional months of curing treatment of the turned heaps ensured complete physical degradation. In conclusion, in terms of the level and times of physical degradation, the use of compostable bioplastic bags appeared promising and consistent with home composting practices.

Suggested Citation

  • Lorenzo Maria Cafiero & Margherita Canditelli & Fabio Musmeci & Giulia Sagnotti & Riccardo Tuffi, 2020. "Assessment of Disintegration of Compostable Bioplastic Bags by Management of Electromechanical and Static Home Composters," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 13(1), pages 1-17, December.
  • Handle: RePEc:gam:jsusta:v:13:y:2020:i:1:p:263-:d:470424
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    1. Cecilia Bruni & Çağrı Akyol & Giulia Cipolletta & Anna Laura Eusebi & Donatella Caniani & Salvatore Masi & Joan Colón & Francesco Fatone, 2020. "Decentralized Community Composting: Past, Present and Future Aspects of Italy," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 12(8), pages 1-20, April.
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