A degradable substance doesn’t cause long-term risks to the environment. Biodegradability is an important parameter for the evaluation of the ecological behaviour of substances.
BS EN 14046 specifies a method for the evaluation of the ultimate aerobic biodegradability of packaging materials based on organic compounds under controlled composting conditions by measurement of released carbon dioxide at the end of the test.
Additionally, BS EN 14046 is designed to resemble typical aerobic composting conditions for the organic fraction of mixed municipal solid waste. The packaging material is exposed in a laboratory test to an inoculum that is derived from compost. Aerobic composting takes place in an environment where especially temperature, aeration and humidity are closely monitored and controlled. The test method is designed to yield a percentage and rate of conversion of carbon of the test material to released carbon dioxide.
BS EN 14046 on biodegradability and disintegration of packaging materials is useful for:
Organic recovery, which includes aerobic composting and anaerobic Bio-gasification, of packaging in well operated, especially municipal or industrial biological waste treatment facilities are important alternatives for reducing and recycling packaging waste in a biological way. Using these technologies, the aims of the European Directive on Packaging and Packaging Waste can be met.
BS EN 14046 provides you with a test method which is designed to be an optimised simulation of an intensive aerobic composting process and determines the ultimate biodegradability of a test material under controlled aerobic composting conditions.
BS EN 14046 guidelines help to protect the environment and human health with the disintegration and biodegradability of packaging materials.
EN 14046:2003