Degradation of Plastics in Simulated Landfill Conditions

Different degradable plastics have been promoted as a solution for the accumulation of waste in landfills and the natural environment; in Mexico, the most popular options are oxo-degradable, which degrade in a sequential abiotic-biotic process, and compostable plastics. In this research, high-densit...

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Bibliographic Details
Published in:Polymers 2021-03, Vol.13 (7), p.1014
Main Authors: Xochitl, Quecholac-Piña, María Del Consuelo, Hernández-Berriel, María Del Consuelo, Mañón-Salas, Rosa María, Espinosa-Valdemar, Alethia, Vázquez-Morillas
Format: Article
Language:English
Subjects:
Biodegradation
Biogas
Chemical oxygen demand
Composting
Consumption
Decision making
Developing countries
Elongation
Environmental impact
Fourier transforms
High density polyethylenes
Laboratories
Landfill
Landfills
LDCs
Leachates
Management systems
Mechanical properties
Microorganisms
Molecular weight
Oxidizing agents
Plastics
Polyethylene
Polymer films
Waste management
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Summary:Different degradable plastics have been promoted as a solution for the accumulation of waste in landfills and the natural environment; in Mexico, the most popular options are oxo-degradable, which degrade in a sequential abiotic-biotic process, and compostable plastics. In this research, high-density polyethylene, oxo-degradable high-density polyethylene, and certified compostable plastic were exposed to simulated landfill conditions in an 854-day-long experiment to assess their degradation. High-density polyethylene showed limited degradation, due mainly to surface erosion, evidenced by a 13% decrease in elongation at break. The pro-oxidant additive in the oxo-degradable plastic increased this loss of mechanical properties to 27%. However, both plastic films kept their physical integrity and high molecular weight by the end of the experiment, evidencing degradation but no biodegradation. While the compostable film fragmented, had a lower molecular weight at the end of the experiment, and decreased the presence of C=O bonds, this degradation took place remarkably slower than expected from a composting process. Results show that oxo-degradable and compostable plastics will not biodegrade readily in landfills. This fact should be known and understood for decision-makers to match the characteristics of the materials to the features of the waste management systems.
ISSN:2073-4360
2073-4360
DOI:10.3390/polym13071014