ASTM is turning its attention to polymer coatings and their impact on compostable packaging.
The standards group's Committee D20 on Plastics is developing a proposed standard entitled “Test Method for Determination of Aerobic Biodegradability of Single and Multilayer Coatings,” ASTM said. The proposed standard's number is WK54915.
“The new standard will be used to assure the compostability of the packaging. This would then be used by packagers to communicate to consumers that the packaging can be effectively composted by industrial facilities and should then be recycled where such facilities exist. Industrial composters would also be assured that this type of packaging would not have a negative impact on their composting facility,” ASTM member John Kokoszka said in a statement. Kokoszka is vice president, technical services/business development, for Sustainable Fiber Solutions LLC.
The proposed standard, ASTM said, “will afford testing laboratories the opportunity to evaluate aerobic mineralization (or biodegradation) in compost of polymer coatings according to a standard test method.”
ASTM, on its website, indicated “two completely different test methods are presently used by testing labs for determining biodegradability of coatings, which result in vastly different results.”
The committee looking at the issue seeks input from people familiar with packaging and coating to help develop the standard. Those interested in participation can to join ASTM at www.astm.org/JOIN.