ISO/AWI 25306

Plastics — Determination of the aerobic biodegradation of plastic materials in an aqueous medium — Method by analysis of evolved carbon dioxide in a closed system

Scope

This document specifies a laboratory test method for determining in a closed system the degree and
rate of the aerobic biodegradation level of plastic materials, including those containing formulation additives. Biodegradation is determined by measuring the CO2 evolved from plastic materials when
exposed in an aqueous medium to an inoculum from activated sludge under laboratory conditions.
If an unadapted activated sludge is used as the inoculum, the test simulates the biodegradation
processes which occur in a natural aqueous environment; if a mixed or pre-exposed inoculum is
used, the method can be used to investigate the potential biodegradability of a test material.
The conditions described in this document might not always correspond to the optimum conditions
for the maximum degree of biodegradation, however this test method is designed to give an
indication of the potential biodegradability of plastic materials.