What classifies as biodegradable?
There are currently standards in place in Australia, North America, Europe, and Japan. The most common standard is EN13432, which is a European standard, and that is for compostable packaging materials. The Australian standard in AS 4736-2006 Biodegradable plastics – Biodegradable plastics suitable for composting and other microbial treatment sets. To meet the requirements of this standard the materials must be biodegradable. To be biodegradable the material must biodegrade up to a minimum of 90% compared to pure cellulose, and that is determined by measuring the Carbon Dioxide given off from a material as it biodegrades. The amount of Carbon Dioxide is compared to a minimum theoretical amount of Carbon Dioxide that can come off a known mass of material. The product must also be compostable, so it must disintegrate within a certain amount of time, and must be non-toxic so that the biodegradation process has no effect on animal or plant growth. To receive certification for the Australia
