ASTM D6868 Labeling of End Items that Incorporate Plastics as Additives with Paper and Other Substrates Designed to be Aerobically Composted in Industrial Facilities

Scope:

ASTM D6868 specification establishes the requirements for labeling “compostable in aerobic municipal and industrial composting facilities” on end items that use plastics or polymers as coatings or binders.

Requirements:

ASTM D6868 applies to end goods that contain plastics or polymers and are designed to be composted under aerobic conditions in municipal and industrial composting facilities where thermophilic temperatures are achieved (either through lamination, extrusion, or mixing). The SI units are to be taken as standard. 

During composting, an end item will decompose so that any residuals (plastic, polymer, or substrate) are difficult to differentiate from the other organic elements in the finished product. Furthermore, the item or product must not be identified in large quantities during the screening process before the compost’s final distribution. Tests under controlled conditions will be used to determine the level of biodegradation for plastic coatings and additives. When polymeric products or other materials decompose, they must not release unacceptable levels of heavy metals or other harmful compounds into the environment.

Specimen:

The sampling procedure must be followed as specified in the ASTM D6868 test method.

Results:

The sample composts have a germination rate of at least 90% and a plant biomass of at least 90%.

Conclusion:

ASTM D6868 is concerned with end items (including packaging) that use plastics and polymers as coatings or binders that will compost satisfactorily in large-scale aerobic municipal or industrial composting where maximum throughput is a high priority and intermediate stages of plastic biodegradation must not be visible to the end user for aesthetic reasons.