AS 5810:2010 pdf free download – Biodegradable plastics-Biodegradable plastics suitable for home composting

AS 5810:2010 pdf free download – Biodegradable plastics-Biodegradable plastics suitable for home composting.
For the purposes of this Standard, the following delinitions apply:
The ability of organic suhsianccs to he broken down by micro-organisms in the presence of oxygen (aerobic) to carbon dioxide, water. hiomass and mineral salts or an> othcr elements that are present (mineralization).
3.2 Component
A part of a plastic product that can be scparatcd by hand or by using simple physical means.
3.3 Composting
The aerobic degradation of organic matter to make compost.
3.4 Constituent
The chemical materials and substances of which a plastic is composed.
3.$ I)isiniegration
The physical breakdown of material into very small fragmcnts (ISO 20200).
3.6 Home compost
The product of privately or home generated organic ssastc. such as food, garden and paper product waste, which has been subjected to composting. and which product is applied to private property soils without any commercial transaction.
3.7 home compost system
A systeni to produce home compost.
3• Plastic
A material that contains large molecular weight organic polymeric substances as an essential ingredient.
3.9 Reference substance
A micro-crystalline cellulose powder with known characteristics for comparison with samples under test
NOTE: Avicel has been found to be a suitable reference substance.
3.10 Total dry solids
The amount of solids obtained by drying material at l05—lI0C to a constant weight.
3.11 Volatile solids
The amount of solids obtained by subtracting the residues ofa material alict incineration at 550—50C from the total dry solids content The volatile solids content is an indication of the amount of organic matter in the material.
The test sample shall degrade at least 90% w/w (dry weight) in total or equal to the maximum degradation of a suitable reference substance (see Clause 3.9). The maximum percentage biodegradation of the reference substance shall only be obtained after a plateau has been reached in the rate of biodegradation.
The ultimate aerobic biodegradability shall be determined kr the whole material or for each organic constituent that is present in the material at a concentration of more than 1% (by dry mass). Constituents that are present at concentrations of less than 1% do not need to demonstrate biodegradability. however, the sum of such constituents shall not exceed 5%.
5.4.2.2 Tesi meihod
The limit value for biodegradation is based on conversion of the carbon of the test material into carbon dioxide and biomass. The details of calculation depend on the lest and analytical methods used.
AS ISO 14855 shall he used as the standard test method, unless inappropriate for the type and properties of the plastic under lest. When alternative methods arc necessary. either ISO 14851 or AS ISO 14852 shall be used. For all test methods (AS ISO 14855. ISO 14851. and AS ISO 14852), the test environment shall be at an ambient temperature of 25 ±50C. The temperature shall he kept below 30°C for the duration of the test.
Information on how to handle materials having poor water solubiliy for use in aquatic biodegradation tests may be obtained from ISO 10634.
5.5 1)isintegraliun
5.5.1 (k,d
When testing finished articles and products. testing shall be conducted starting with the articles and products in the same form as they are intended to be used. For products and materials that are made in several different thicknesses or densities, such as films, containers and foams, only the thickest or most dense products and materials need to he tested providing the chemical composition and structure remains otherwise the same.
Due to the nature and analytical conditions of the disintegration test, the test results cannot differentiate between biodegradation and ahiotic disintegration. It shall he demonstrated that a sufficient disintegration of the test material is achieved within the specified treatment time of 180 days.