Effect of Composting on the Behavior of Polyolefin Films - A True-to-Life Experiment
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.6000/1929-5030.2016.05.02.5Keywords:
Polyolefin films, degradation in compost, material testingAbstract
Commercial polypropylene (PP), high-, medium- and low density polyethylene (HDPE, MDPE, LDPE) films, as well as MDPE films containing pro-oxidative additives and thermoplastic starch (TPS) were composted for six weeks together with biologically degradable films, such as poly (lactic acid) (PLA), Ecovio (BASF), Mater Bi(Novamont) and cellophane. Visual appearance of the polyolefin-based films did not change significantly, while the biologically degradable films fell apart. Thickness and mechanical properties of the polyolefin-based films also did not vary significantly after composting. The thickness of the degradable films however increased due to biofilm formation and finally decreased due to biodegradation, and their mechanical properties drastically dropped. FTIR proved the formation of carbonyl absorption of commercial and of the additive-containing films respectively) after composting due to oxidation. The FTIR-spectrum of the biodegradable films showed drastic change after composting. Formation of free radicals was detectable by ESR-spectroscopy, if pro-oxidative additive containing MDPE film was exposed for one week to sunlight, and the intensity of free radical formation increased after composting. The number-average molecular mass of MDPE films containing pro-oxidative additives decreased, low molecular mass fractions appeared and polydispersity increased after composting. Commercial polyolefin films were covered by microorganisms much more densly than films containing pro-oxidative additives detected by SEM. Even TPS did not increase the quantity of microorganisms. Biodegradable films were densly covered by microorganisms of different types and they became porous and holes were observable on their surface. It can be concluded that composting had no significant effect on the behaviour of the commercial PP and PE films. Signs of initial degradation were observable on MDPE films with pro-oxidative additives and TPS after 6 weeks composting, although it cannot be considered as biological degradation. Non of the tested polyolefin films suffered such degree of degradation in compost, as the biologically degradable films. It may be concluded that polyolefin films neither degrade in compost nor they undergo biodegradation.
References
[1] https://issuu.com/plasticseuropeebook/docs/final_plastics_th e_facts_2014_19122 22.02.2016
[2] Albertsson AC, Andersson SO, Karlsson S. The mechanism of biodegradation of polyethylene. Polym Degrad Stab 1987; 18: 73-87. http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/0141-3910(87)90084-X
[3] Albertsson AC, Karlsson S. The influence of biotic and abiotic environments on the degradation of polyethylene. Prog Polym Sci 1990; 15: 177-92. http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/0079-6700(90)90027-X
[4] Albertsson A-C, Erlandsson B, Hakkarainen M, Karlsson S. Molecular weight changes and polymeric matrix changes correlated with the formation of degradation products in biodegraded polyethylene. J Polym Environ 1998; 6: 187-95. http://dx.doi.org/10.1023/A:1021873631162
[5] Albertsson AC, Banhidi ZG. Microbial and oxidative effects in degradation of polyethene. J Appl Polym Sci 1980; 25: 1655- 71. http://dx.doi.org/10.1002/app.1980.070250813
[6] Albertsson AC, Barenstedt C, Karlsson CS. Abiotic degradation products from enhanced environmentally degradable polyethylene. Acta Polym 1993; 45: 97-103. http://dx.doi.org/10.1002/actp.1994.010450207
[7] Albertsson AC, Barenstedt C, Karlsson S, Lindberg T. Degradation product pattern and morphology changes as means to differentiate abiotically and biotically aged degradable polyethylene. Polymer 1995; 36: 3075-83. http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/0032-3861(95)97868-G
[8] Albertsson AC, Barenstedt C, Karlsson S. Solid-phase extraction and gas chromatographic-mass-spectrometric identification of degradation products from enhanced environmentally degradable polyethylene. J Chromat A 1995; 690: 207-17. http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/0021-9673(94)01016-8
[9] Koutny M, Lemaire J, Delort AM. Biodegradation of polyethylene films with prooxidant additives. Chemosphere 2006; 64: 1243-52. http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.chemosphere.2005.12.060
[10] Shah AA, Hasan F, Hameed A, Ahmed S. Biological degradation of plastics: A comprehensive review. Biotechnol Adv 2008; 26: 246-65. http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.biotechadv.2007.12.005
[11] Bienaime LN, Belloy C, Queneudec M, Silvestre F, NavaSaucedo JE. Polymer biodegradation: Mechanisms and estimation techniques. Chemosphere 2008; 73: 429-42. http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.chemosphere.2008.06.064
[12] Eubeler JP, Bernhard M, Zok S, Knepper TP. Environmental biodegradation of synthetic polymers I. Test methodologies and procedures. Trends Anal Chem 2009; 28: 1057-72. http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.trac.2009.06.007
[13] Eubeler JP, Bernhard M, Thomas P, Knepper TP. Environmental biodegradation of synthetic polymers II. Biodegradation of different polymer groups. Trends Anal Chem 2010; 29: 84-100. http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.trac.2009.09.005
[14] Kyrikou I, Demetres Briassoulis C. Biodegradation of agricultural plastic films: a critical review. J Polym Environ 2007; 15: 125-50. http://dx.doi.org/10.1007/s10924-007-0053-8
[15] Feuilloley P, Ce´sar G, Benguigui L, et al. Degradation of polyethylene designed for agricultural purposes. J Polym Environ 2005; 13: 349-55. http://dx.doi.org/10.1007/s10924-005-5529-9
[16] Fontanella S, Bonhomme S, Koutny M, et al. Comparison of the biodegradability of various polyethylene films containing pro-oxidant additives. Polym Degrad Stability 2010; 95: 1011-21. http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.polymdegradstab.2010.03.009
[17] Corti A, Muniyasamy S, Vitali M, Imam SH, Chiellini E. Oxidation and biodegradation of polyethylene films containing pro-oxidant additives: Synergistic effects of sunlight exposure, thermal aging and fungal biodegradation. Polym Degrad Stability 2010; 95: 1106-114. http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.polymdegradstab.2010.02.018
[18] Soni E, Anil , Kapri CM, Zaidi GH, Goel R. Comparative biodegradation studies of non-poronized and poronized LDPE using indigenous microbial consortium. J Polym Environ 2009; 17: 233-9. http://dx.doi.org/10.1007/s10924-009-0143-x
[19] Siracusa V, Rocculi P, Romani S, Dalla Rosa M. Biodegradable polymers for food packaging: a review. Trends Food Sci Technol 2008; 19: 634-43. http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.tifs.2008.07.003
[20] Muthukumar T, Aravinthan A, Mukesh D. Effect of environment on the degradation of starch and pro-oxidant blended polyolefins. Polym Degrad Stability 2010; 95: 1988- 993. http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.polymdegradstab.2010.07.017
[21] Huang CY, Roan ML, Kuo MC, Lu WL. Effect of compatibiliser on the biodegradation and mechanical properties of high-content starch/low-density polyethylene blends. Polym Degrad Stability 2005; 90: 95-105. http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.polymdegradstab.2005.02.015
[22] Nakamura EM, Cordi L, Almeida GSG, Duran N, Mei LHI. Study and development of LDPE/starch partially biodegradable compounds. J Mater Proc Technol 2005; 162- 163: 236-41. http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.jmatprotec.2005.02.007
[23] Thakore IM, Desai S, Sarawade BD, Devi S. Studies on biodegradability, morphology and thermomechanical properties of LDPE/modified starch blends. Eur Polym J 2001; 37: 151-60. http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/S0014-3057(00)00086-0
[24] Zuchowska D, Hlavatá D, Steller R, Adamiak W, Meissner W. Physical structure of polyolefin/starch blends after ageing. Polym Degrad Stability 1999; 64: 339-46. http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/S0141-3910(98)00212-2
[25] Zuchowska D, Steller R, Meissner W. Structure and properties of degradable polyolefin-starch blends. Polym Degrad Stability 1998; 60: 471-80. http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/S0141-3910(97)00110-9
[26] Dave H, Rao PVC, Desai JD. Biodegradation of starchpolyethylene films in soil and by microbial cultures. World J Microbiol Biotechnol 1997; 13: 655-8. http://dx.doi.org/10.1023/A:1018566820659
[27] Chandra R, Rustgi R. Biodegradation of maleated linear lowdensity polyethylene and starch blends. Polym Degrad Stability 1997; 56: 185-202. http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/S0141-3910(96)00212-1
[28] Contat-Rodrigo L, Ribes-Greus A. Mechanical behaviour of biodegradable polyolefins. J Non-Crystalline Solids 1998; 235-237: 670-6. http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/S0022-3093(98)00618-8
[29] Abd El-Rehim HA, Hegazy EA, Ali AM, Rabie AM. Synergistic effect of combining UV-sunlight–soil burial treatment on the biodegradation rate of LDPE/starch blends. J Photochem Photobiol A Chem 2004; 163: 547-56. http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.jphotochem.2004.02.003
[30] Ojeda TFM, Dalmolin E, Forte MMC, Jacques RJS, Bento FM, Camargo FAO. Abiotic and biotic degradation of oxobiodegradable polyethylenes. Polym Degrad Stability 2009; 94: 965-70. http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.polymdegradstab.2009.03.011
[31] Chiellini E, Cortia A, Swift A. Biodegradation of thermallyoxidized, fragmented low-density polyethylenes. Polym Degrad Stability 2003; 81: 341-51. http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/S0141-3910(03)00105-8
[32] Matsunaga M, Whitney PJ. Surface changes brought about by corona discharge treatment of polyethylene film and the effect on subsequent microbial colonisation. Polym Degrad Stability 2000; 70: 325-32. http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/S0141-3910(00)00105-1
[33] Kaur I, Gupta N, Kumari V. Swelling, ion uptake and biodegradation studies of PE film modified through radiation induced graft copolymerization. Rad Phys Chem 2012; 81: 947-56.
[34] Epstein E. The science of compostingn Technomic Publishing Co. 1997 p-487 ISBN 1-56676-478-5
[35] Vargha V, Rétháti G, Heffner T, et al. Behavior of polyethylene films in soil. Periodica Polytech Chem Eng 2016; 60: 60-8. http://dx.doi.org/10.3311/PPch.8281
Downloads
Published
How to Cite
Issue
Section
License
Policy for Journals/Articles with Open Access
Authors who publish with this journal agree to the following terms:
- Authors retain copyright and grant the journal right of first publication with the work simultaneously licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution License that allows others to share the work with an acknowledgement of the work's authorship and initial publication in this journal.
- Authors are permitted and encouraged to post links to their work online (e.g., in institutional repositories or on their website) prior to and during the submission process, as it can lead to productive exchanges, as well as earlier and greater citation of published work
Policy for Journals / Manuscript with Paid Access
Authors who publish with this journal agree to the following terms:
- Publisher retain copyright .
- Authors are permitted and encouraged to post links to their work online (e.g., in institutional repositories or on their website) prior to and during the submission process, as it can lead to productive exchanges, as well as earlier and greater citation of published work .
