ASTM D5988-12
Standard Test Method for Determining Aerobic Biodegradation of Plastic Materials in Soil
- Standard No.
- ASTM D5988-12
- Release Date
- 2012
- Published By
- American Society for Testing and Materials (ASTM)
- Status
- Replace By
- ASTM D5988-18
- Latest
- ASTM D5988-18
- Scope
The degree and rate of aerobic biodegradability of a plastic material in the environment determines the extent to which and time period over which plastic materials are mineralized by soil microorganisms. Disposal is becoming a major issue with the increasing use of plastics, and the results of this test method permit an estimation of the degree of biodegradability and the time period over which plastics will remain in an aerobic soil environment. This test method determines the degree of aerobic biodegradation by measuring evolved carbon dioxide as a function of time that the plastic is exposed to soil.
Soil is an extremely species-rich source of inoculum for evaluation of the biodegradability of plastics in the environment. When maintained appropriately with regard to moisture content and oxygen availability, the biological activity is quite considerable, although lower than other biologically active environments, such as activated sewage-sludge or compost.
1.1 This test method covers determination under laboratory conditions of the degree and rate of aerobic biodegradation of plastic materials, including formulation additives, in contact with soil.
1.2 This test method is designed to measure the biodegradability of plastic materials relative to a reference material in an aerobic environment.
1.3 This test method is designed to be applicable to all plastic materials that are not inhibitory to the bacteria and fungi present in soil.
1.4 Claims of performance shall be limited to the numerical result obtained in the test and not be used for unqualified “biodegradable” claims. Reports shall clearly state the percentage of net gaseous carbon generation for both the test and reference samples at the completion of the test. Results shall not be extrapolated beyond the actual duration of the test.
1.5 The values stated in SI units are to be regarded as the standard.
1.6 This standard does not purport to address all of the safety concerns, if any, associated with its use. It is the responsibility of the user of this standard to establish appropriate safety and health practices and determine the applicability of regulatory limitations prior to use. A specific hazard statement is given in Section 8.
1.7 This ASTM test method is equivalent to ISO 17556.
ASTM D5988-12 Referenced Document
- ASTM D1193 Standard Specification for Reagent Water
- ASTM D1293 Standard Test Methods for pH of Water
- ASTM D2980 Standard Test Method for Volume Weights, Water-Holding Capacity, and Air Capacity of Water-Saturated Peat Materials
- ASTM D2989 Standard Test Method for Acidity-Alkalinity of Halogenated Organic Solvents and Their Admixtures
- ASTM D4129 Standard Test Method for Total and Organic Carbon in Water by High Temperature Oxidation and by Coulometric Detection
- ASTM D425 Standard Test Method for Centrifuge Moisture Equivalent of Soils
- ASTM D4972 Standard Test Method for pH of Soils
- ASTM D5338 Standard Test Method for Determining Aerobic Biodegradation of Plastic Materials Under Controlled Composting Conditions
- ASTM D5511 Standard Test Method for Determining Anaerobic Biodegradation of Plastic Materials Under High-Solids Anaerobic-Digestion Conditions
- ASTM D618 Standard Practice for Conditioning Plastics for Testing
- ASTM D883 Standard Terminology Relating to Plastics
- ISO 17556 Plastics — Determination of the ultimate aerobic biodegradability in soil by measuring the oxygen demand in a respirometer or the amount of carbon dioxide evolved
ASTM D5988-12 history
- 2018 ASTM D5988-18 Standard Test Method for Determining Aerobic Biodegradation of Plastic Materials in Soil
- 2012 ASTM D5988-12 Standard Test Method for Determining Aerobic Biodegradation of Plastic Materials in Soil
- 2003 ASTM D5988-03 Standard Test Method for Determining Aerobic Biodegradation in Soil of Plastic Materials or Residual Plastic Materials After Composting
- 1996 ASTM D5988-96 Standard Test Method for Determining Aerobic Biodegradation in Soil of Plastic Materials or Residual Plastic Materials After Composting
