This Mater-Bi marine biodegradation report explains how a BioBag will biodegrade in a relatively short time, even in natural conditions such as the marine environment.
BioBag products are made from Mater-Bi resin which is a compostable bioplastic subject to ongoing product development in Italy. In laboratory tests, samples of Mater-Bi were exposed to marine sediments from coastal areas, a habitat where a lot of plastic waste ends up. The laboratory tests, supervised by the Italian Institute of Plastics (IIP), were Verified by Certiquality, within the framework of the European Commission’s “Environmental TechnologyVerification” (ETV) pilot programme.
Plastic waste in our oceans is a growing concern.The uncontrolled disposal of waste is a major social problem which needs to be resolved by increasing environmental awareness.
Biodegradability cannot be used as an excuse to dump waste. This report examines the fate of products made of Mater-Bi that end up in coastal areas using test methods prepared by international standards organisations.
Samples of Mater-Bi were exposed to marine sediments from coastal areas and biodegradation was tracked by monitoring metabolisation by the bacteria that “digest” bioplastic. High levels of biodegradation were achieved in relatively short timeframes.
The biodegradation of the materials tested was over 90% in absolute terms and relative to a reference material such as cellulose (see the chart featured in the report).
When products made of Mater-Bi reach the sea (from rivers, land or boats), they do not “disappear” immediately. Nevertheless, the environmental risk caused by a product released into the sea is lessened by rapid biodegradation that reduces the time the product remains in the environment.
Download the PDF here: Mater-Bi marine biodegradation report
