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All biodegradable polymers should be stable and durable enough for use in their particular application, but upon disposal they should easily break down. [citation needed] Polymers, specifically biodegradable polymers, have extremely strong carbon backbones that are difficult to break, such that degradation often starts from the end-groups.
Susceptibility to biodegradation is highly dependent on the chemical backbone structure of the polymer, and different bioplastics have different structures, thus it cannot be assumed that bioplastic in the environment will readily disintegrate. Conversely, biodegradable plastics can also be synthesized from fossil fuels. [4] [12]
An example of a compostable polymer is PLA film under 20μm thick: films which are thicker than that do not qualify as compostable, even though they are "biodegradable". [14] In Europe there is a home composting standard and associated logo that enables consumers to identify and dispose of packaging in their compost heap.
Compostable plastic products contain a certification label from the U.S. Composting Council, typically the number "7" inside a recycling symbol along with the letters "PLA" underneath, which stand ...
Biodegradable polymers are classified into three groups: medical, ecological, and dual application, while in terms of origin they are divided into two groups: natural and synthetic. [18] The Clean Technology Group is exploiting the use of supercritical carbon dioxide , which under high pressure at room temperature is a solvent that can use ...
Polymer degradation is the reduction in the physical properties of a polymer, such as strength, caused by changes in its chemical composition.Polymers and particularly plastics are subject to degradation at all stages of their product life cycle, including during their initial processing, use, disposal into the environment and recycling. [1]
Biodegradable bags still strong enough to carry shopping after three years in the ground show that 'biodegradability' isn't all it's cracked up to be. When biodegradable plastic is not ...
[143] yet, biodegradation-promoting additives for polymers have been shown not to significantly increase biodegradation. [144] Although biodegradable and degradable plastics have helped reduce plastic pollution, there are some drawbacks. One issue concerning both types of plastics is that they do not break down very efficiently in natural ...