Biodegradation

In an increasingly "Green" world, manufacturers as well as retail outlets find it to their advantage to make claims that their products or those that they sell are environmentally friendly. The Federal Trade Commission (FTC) requires that such claims be supported by reliable scientific evidence.

Northeast Laboratories offers a full range of tests pertaining to the biodegradation of a variety of products including but not limited to plastics. Our capabilities extend to a wide variety of ASTM and OECD methods.

ASTM METHODS

ASTM D5209	Determines the degree of anaerobic biodegradation by measuring evolved carbon dioxide as a function of time when the plastic is exposed to activated sewage sludge
ASTM D5210	Determines the degree and rate of anaerobic biodegradation of synthetic plastic materials (including formulation additives) on exposure to anaerobic digester municipal sewage sludge from a waste water plant
ASTM D5247	Evaluating the biodegradation of degradable plastics in submerged culture under aerobic conditions
ASTM D5338	Determines the degree and rate of aerobic biodegradation of plastic materials on exposure to a controlled composting environment under laboratory conditions
ASTM D5511	Determination of the degree and rate of anaerobic biodegradation of plastic materials in high solids anaerobic conditions
ASTM D5526	Determines the anaerobic biodegradation of plastic materials under accelerated land fill conditions
ASTM D5988	Determines the degree and rate of aerobic biodegradation of plastic materials in contact with soil or a mixture of soil or a mixture of soil and mature compost under laboratory conditions
ASTM D6691	Determines the degree and rate of aerobic biodegradation of plastic materials (including formulation additives) exposed to pre-grown population of at least ten aerobic marine microorganisms of a known genera
ASTM D6868	Determines the biodegradability of plastics used as coatings on paper and other compostable surfaces
ASTM G160	Conducting an evaluation on nonmetallic materials microbiological susceptibility when in contact with the natural environment of the soil

OECD METHODS

OECD 207	Determines the acute toxicity of compost after degradation on earthworms
OECD 208	Determines the acute toxicity of compost after degradation on plant life
OECD 209	Activated sludge respiration inhibition test
OECD 301	Ready Biodegradability
OECD 302	Inherent Biodegradability
OECD 306	Biodegradabilty in Seawater
OECD 311	Anaerobic biodegradability of organic compounds in digested sludge

Please note: Additional testing available on request.