Does oxo-degradable polyethylene meet the ASTM D6400 composting standard?
Additionally, polyethylene with oxo-degradable additives will not meet the ASTM D6400 standard for composting. Very few managed compost operations exist in the United States. Will the degradable bags have a storage shelf life? Absolutely. Because of manufacturing process to make polyethylene film and bags includes temperatures of 400 to 800 degrees Fahrenheit, and because degradation rates are affected by temperature, the act of producing the film and bags starts the degradation clock ticking. Bags have side seals in them where most of the process heat was concentrated during manufacturing. Side seals will fail first due to degradation. However the time it takes for degradation to result in seal failure or general material failure will depend on the level of degradable additive used and storage conditions. We usually try to formulate for a 6 month to one year shelf life and recommend storage temperature be kept under 100 degrees Fahrenheit. If sunlight exposure is expected for any leng
