EUROPEAN PERSPECTIVE ON BIODEGRADABLE RESINS – HISTORY, DRIVERS,STANDARDS, MEASUREMENT

摘要

Several European directives are changing the waste scene dramatically. The landfill directive is phasing outlandfilling of all biodegradable waste. The incineration directive is imposing strict emission norms. Thecomposting directive is striving for source-separated waste collection and biological treatment. The fate ofpackaging is largely defined by the packaging waste directive defining recovery and recycling targets. As aresult, opportunities are created for compostable packaging in which coated paper could play a major role.The EN 13432 compostability norm mentions tests and analyses but also specific pass levels. A first chapter is‘material characteristics’. A second part deals with ‘biodegradation’. Basically the norm calls for compostablepackaging to be fully biodegradable. The next topic is ‘disintegration’ or the physical disappearance of aspecific form of packaging. This is evaluated in a pilot-scale or full-scale composting test. Finally, a last chapterdeals with ‘compost quality’. Key elements for compostable coated paper is the use of a certified and approvedresin and disintegration of the final product.In April 2001 the world’s largest test market for compostable packaging was initiated in the German city ofKassel (200,000 inhabitants), involving packaging industry, food industry, retailers, consumers and wasteindustry. First results are very promising.