vvEPA
United States
Environmental Protection
Agency
Waste Management Division
Region 1 -(HER-CAN6)
Boston, MA 02203-2211
EPA/SO -t^B-92-DD 1
May 1992
Research Library for Solid Waste
Compendium of
Materials on Municipal
Solid Waste
Defining Degradability
Printed on Recycled Paper
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DISCLAIMER:
THE ENCLOSED MATERIALS HAVE BEEN PREPARED BY THE
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CONCLUSIONS OR OPINIONS.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT:
THE RESEARCH LIBRARY FOR SOLID WASTE
(617) 573-9687
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DEFINING DEGRADABILITY
TABLE OF CONTENTS:
Introduction .........
Standard General and Specialized Reference Sources .... 4
Solid Waste Reference Sources ... ... 5
Federal Sources 5
State Legislative Definitions ... 7
Professional and Other Sources 8
EPA, Environmental Fact Sheet: The Facts
on Degradable Plastics
EPA, Report to Congress: Methods to Manage^and Control
Plastic Wastes, "Types of Degradable Plastics and
Degradation Processes," February, 1991 12
Degrabable .Plastic Ring Carriers, Title I of Public
Law 100-556 [S.1986]; October 28, 1988 1'
20
International Sources
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Introduction:
The term 'degradable' and its 'photodegradable' and
'biodegradable' variants are widely used with varying degrees of
appropriateness, depending upon the source and the purpose.
Defining degradability is much more than a mere academic
exercise. The definition rendered or accepted has an impact on
the processes chosen to produce many consumer goods. It has an
impact on advertising, marketing, industrial design or redesign,
and the management of wastes, as well as on choices that are made
by the ultimate end user of these products: the consumer.
Consider that some 5,700 "green" consumer products, many bearing
claims of "degradability" or "biodegradability," were marketed in
1989 alone. ("Why Biodegradable Claims May Not Mean Much," by
John F. Wasik, San Francisco Chronicle, Sept. 24, 1990).
Society will ultimately require some standard for evaluating
claims of degradability. Thus, generic and open-ended
definitions will compete in the future, as they have in the past,
with those bearing a higher degree of specificity. This
Compendium offers examples of definitions for the_term .
"degradable" and, in doing so, provides a brief history of
definitions which began in the 1970s.
In the 1970s, the very same debate that now exists concerning the
degradability of consumer goods Was taking place. The issues at
that time were plastics and waste nuclear materials. At least in
the case of plastics, many of the same solutions were proposed,
researched, and discussed, principally in a dialogue.among
packaging industries and in a second dialogue between some
industries and some government agencies. "It is almost
inconceivable," wrote John H. Abrahams, Jr. of the Glass
Container Manufacturers Association, "that you can instill in a
product that costs only a few pennies to create, the Intelligence
to perform 100 percent and then, at a given point, to
automatically disappear and destroy itself." (Utilization of
Packaging Wastes, in Reuse and Recycle of Wastes: Proceedings,
3rd New England Regional Conference, University of Rhode Island,
1970).
"Degradable plastics can now be produced," countered an unsigned
editor in the periodical, Chemical Week, "but until manufacturers
are convinced there is a market for them, progress toward
commercialization will continue to be very slow." ("Degradables
Are Still Debatables," Chemical Week, December 12, 1973).
Twenty years later/ we are still searching for effective waste
management options for many substances within the municipal waste
stream. This Compendium is an attempt to make people aware of
the various definitions that are either currently in use or have,
at one time, been accepted to define the term "degradable."
Standard reference sources, academic sources, and specialized
solid waste reference sources are included, as are Federal
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nmervtaa. ciy Compena3.um **
forces ana purposes.
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DEFINITIONS
3
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Standard General and Specialized Reference Sources
biodegradability: The characteristic of a substance that
can be broken down by microorganisms. (McGraw-Hill
Dictionary of Scientific and Technical Terms, 4th ed^,
1989).
biodegradability: The susceptibility of an organic material
to decomposition as a result of attack by microorganisms.
The term is applied especially to detergents and
insecticides, which vary widely in this respect. For
ecological reasons, a high degree of biodegradation is
desirable to minimize the adverse environmental effect of
such materials. Sewage is highly biodegradable, and present
methods of treatment are based on this property. Phosphate
compounds and'chlorinated hydrocarbons such as DDT* are not
biodegradable, and it is largely for this reason that their
use is restricted. Biodegradable plastic containers have
been developed to ameliorate the solid waste problem.
(Glossary of Chemical Terms by Clifford A. Hampel and G. G.
Hawley, Van Nostrand Reinhold, 1976.)
biodegradability: The susceptibility of a substance to
decompose by microorganisms, specifically the rate at which
detergents and pesticides and other compounds may be
chemically broken down by bacteria and/or other natural
environmental factors. Branched chain alkylbenzene
sulfonates are much more resistant to such decomposition
than are linear alkylbenzene sulfonates in which the long
straight alkyl chain is readily attacked by bacteria. If
the branching is at the end of a long alkyl chain
(isoalkyls), the molecules are about as biodegradable as the
normal alkyls. The alcohol sulfate anionic detergents and
most of the nonionic detergents are biodegradable. Among
pesticides the organo-phosphorous types while highly toxic
are more biodegradable than DDT and its derivatives. Tests
on a number of compounds gave results as follows: Easily
biddegraded: n-propanol, ethanol, benzoic acid,
benzaldehyde, ethyl acetate. Less easily biodegraded:
ethylene glycol, isopropanol, o-cresol, diethylene glycol,
pyridine, triethanolamine. Resistant to biodegradation:
aniline, methanol, monoethanolamine,. methyl ethyl ketone,
acetone. Additives that accelerate biodegradation of
polyethylene, polystyrene and other plastics are available.
(Hawley's Condensed Chemical Dictionary, Revised llth ed.,
Van Nostrand Reinhold, 1987).
DDT is the acronym for dichlorodiphenyltrichloroethane,
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biodegradable: Susceptible to being degraded by natural
action, usually microbial, that usually leaves no harmful
residue in the environment. (international Dictionary of
Medicine, Wiley, 1986.)
solid waste Reference Sources
biodegradable: Waste material which is capable of being
broken down by bacteria into basic elements. Most organic
waste, such as food remains and paper, is biodegradable.
(Handbook of Solid Waste Management, ed. by David G. Wilson,
Van Nostrand Reinhold, 1977).
biodegradable: Any biodegradable substance is capable of
being broken down by microorganisms such that its
objectionable qualities, as waste, are eliminated. Thus for
example pesticidal properties of pesticides, taste and odor
of chlorophenols, etc. would be lost. A compound that
undergoes only slight degradation in a reasonable period of
time is not biodegradable. (Solid Waste Management Study
Report, Vol. 2, by Raytheon Service Co. for Department of
Public Works, 'Commonwealth of Massachusetts, 1972).
Federal Sources
biodegradation: Degradation that occurs through the action
of microorganisms such as bacteria, yeast, fungi, and algae.
Debate continues regarding the most appropriate definitions
for [these] degradation processes as well as regarding the
operational or performance standards for such processes.
The absence of accepted definitions has been cited as a
factor impeding the development of degradable plastics. The
American Society for Testing and Materials (ASTM) has
organized a committee to define terms for plastics
degradation and to develop standards for testing and
measuring "degradability. " (Methods To Manage and Control
Plastic Wastes: Report to Congress, EPA/53 O-SW-89-051,
1990) .
biodegradation of organic compounds: Biodegradation, as a
theoretical concept, refers to the process by which an
organic compound is converted to carbon dioxide, water, and
other inorganic constituents by the action of living
organisms. In practice, several qualifying terms are used
to modify this concept. . . The main consideration in
biodegradability is whether or not an organism exists that
can break down, metabolize, or oxidize the parent compound,
either on first exposure to it or after a suitable
acclimation period. . . In real world situations, the extent
of degradation within a fixed time limit is a very important
consideration in any working definition of biodegradability.
(Biodegradation and Treatability of Specific Pollutants by
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Edwin F. Earth and Robert L. Bunch, Wastewater Research
Division, ORD, EPA. EPA-600/9-79-i034, October, 1979).
biodegradability: Strictly speaking, biodegradable
materials are those whose chemical structures make them
susceptible to assimilation by microorganisms such as molds,
fungi, and bacteria when buried in the ground or otherwise
contacted with the organisms under conditions conducive to
their growth. Some non-biodegradable plastics are
erroneously believed to be biodegradable because they often
contain biodegradable additives that will support the growth
of microorganisms without causing the plastic itself to
become assimilated. The term 'biodegradable' is often used
indiscriminately to refer to various types of environmental
degradation, including photodegradation. Because a
polymeric material is degraded by sunlight and oxygen does
not necessarily mean that the material will also be
assimilated by microorganisms. The term 'biodegradable'
should be reserved for that type of degradability that is
brought about by living organisms, usually, microorganisms.
(An Investigation of the Bioaegradability of Packaging
Plastics, EPA-R2-72-046, 1972.)
biodegradation: If the chemical compound was susceptible to
natural degradation, cessation of human use would result in
the disappearance of the newly recognized toxicant from
ecosystems. By contrast, if the compound was
nonbipdegradable, its harmful effects would continue for
months, years, or decades, because of the absence of an
effective means to rapidly eliminate the offending chemical
from natural ecosystems. (Degradation Mechanisms:
Controlling the Bioacoumulation of Hazardous Materials by
Charles J. Rogers and Robert E. Landreth, Solid and
Hazardous Waste Research Laboratory, ORD, EPA. EPA-670/2-
75-005, January, 1975).
degradable: The term 'degradable' means the ability of a
material to be reduced to environmentally benign subunits
within the shortest period of time consistent with the
material's intended use but in no event greater than a
period of 5 years. (A Bill To Encourage the Development and
Use of Recyclable Consumer Plastics... 101st Congress, 1st
Session, House of Representatives.)
photodegradation and biodegradation: See Attachments:
(Environmental Fact Sheet: The Facts On Degradable Plastics
from EPA's Report To Congress On Methods To Manage and
Control Plastic Wastes, by OSWER, EPA/530-SW-90-017D,
February, 1990.)
photodegradation, biodegradation, and other degradation
processes: See Attachments: (Report To Congress: Methods To
Manage and Control Plastic Wastes, by OSWER, EPA/53O-SW-89-
051, February, 1990.) pp. 5-76 to 5-80.
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State Legislative Definitions
biodegradable: A material has the proven capability to
decompose in the most common environment where the material
is disposed within one year through natural biological
processes into nontoxic carbonaceous soil, water, or carbon
dioxide. (Deering's California Codes Annotated, 1990 Cal AB
3994, Section 17508.5).
biodegradable material: Material which is capable of being
broken down by bacteria into basic elements. (Vermont
Statutes Annotated, 1989 Supplement, 10 VSA, 1521.)
biodegradable: Degradable through a process by which fungi
or bacteria secrete enzymes to convert a complex molecular
structure to simple gasses and organic compounds. (Michie's
South Dakota Codified Laws, Chapter 34A-7, Litter Disposal
and Control, 1989).
biodegradation: As used in this section, 'biodegradation'
means the conversion of all constituents of: (1) A plastic;
or (2) A hybrid material containing plastic as a major
component, into miscellaneous component parts by the
microbial action of fungi and bacteria upon natural
materials such as cornstarch. (Michie's Burns Indxana
Statutes Annotated, Title 4, Article 13.4 State Procurement,
Chapter 4 Specifications: 4-13, 4-4-6, Degradable plastic
products.)
biodegradation: When used in connection with recycling,
means the conversion of all constituents of a plastic or
hybrid material containing plastic as a_major component to
carbon dioxide, inorganic salts, microbial cellular
components and miscellaneous by-products characteristically
formed from the breakdown of natural materials such as corn
starch. (Illinois Revised Statutes, Chapter 111 1/2,
Environmental Protection Act, 111. Rev. Stat., ch. Ill 1/2,
par 1003.68, 1988).
biodegradable or photodegradable material: Means material
which is capable of being broken down by bacteria or light.
(Michie's Delaware Code Annotated, Title 7 Conservation,
Part VII, Chapter 60, Subchapter III, Beverage Containers).
degradable: Degradable means capable of being broken down
by biodegradation, photodegradation, or chemical degradation
into component parts within 360 days under exposure to the
elements. (Michigan Compiled Laws, 1989, Chapter 299,
Labeling of Plastic Products, 299.481, 1989).
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degradable: Degradable means capable of decomposing by
biodegradation, photodegradation, or chemical process into
harmless component parts after exposure to natural elements
for not more than three hundred sixty-five days. (Code of
Iowa 1989, Title XVII, Chapter 455B, Division IV Solid Waste
Disposal, Part 1.)
Professional and other Sources
biodegradation: Biodegradation is a process wherein micro-
organisms secrete enzymes to chemically break down material
that they then eat. This can be in the presence of oxygen
(e.g. composting) or in the absence of oxygen (e.g. in a
landfill). In either case, there must be moisture present
and other conditions.must be met. (Degradable Plastics: .
Myth or Miracle? by Keep America Beautiful, Inc., Focus:
Facts On Municipal Solid Waste, No. 2, March, 1990.)
biodegradable: Any substance that decomposes quickly
through the action of microorganisms. (Ha2ardous Materials,
Hazardous Waste: Local Management Options, International
City Managers Assn., 1987.)
biodegradable materials: Waste material which is capable of
being broken down by microorganisms into simple, stable_
compounds such as carbon dioxide and water. Most organic
wastes, such as food remains and paper, are biodegradable.
(Garbage Solutions: A Public Official's Guide to Recycling
and Alternative Solid Waste Management Technologies, by
National Resource Recovery Association and the U.S.
Conference of Mayors, 1989).
biodegradation: There is no agreed scientific definition of
biodegradation—nor any standard laboratory test for
biodegradability of solids. ("Biodegradation in Landfills,"
Health & Environment Digest, by the Freshwater Foundation,
Vol. 3, #9, November, 1989).
biodegradable: An organic compound that can be degraded or
converted to simpler compounds by microorganisms in the
natural environment. (Recycling In the Marketplace, by
Camp, Dresser & McKee, Inc., 1985).
biodegradable: Few people would regard a compound that
undergoes only slight degradation as biodegradable. An
intermediate position is occupied by the concept of
'activity' loss. This means that if the specific activity
that renders the compound objectionable is lost through
microbial degradation, the compound would be considered
biodegradable. (Determination of Biodegradability Using
Warburg Respirometric Techniques, by J. V. Hunter and H.
Heukelekian in Purdue University Proceedings of the 19th
Industrial Wastes Conference, 1964, part 2.)
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ENVIRONMENTAL FACT SHEET: THE FACTS ON DEGRADABLE PLASTICS
February, 1990
FROM: U.S. ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION AGENCY
Office of Solid Waste
Washington, D.C.
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Untied States
Environmental Protecs ion
Solid Waste and
Emergency Response
(OS-305)
EPJVS30-SW-90O17D
February 1990
Office ol Sofid Waste
Environmental
Fact Sheet
THE FACTS ON DEGRADABLE
PLASTICS
FROM ERA'S REPORT TO CONGRESS ON
METHODS TO MANAGE AND CONTROL
PLASTIC WASTES
Discorded plastic products and packaging make up a
growing proportion of municipal solid waste. By the year 2000,
the amount of plastic we throw away will increase by 50 percent
""Current volume estimates Jor plastic waste range from 14 to 21
percent qfthe waste stream. By weight plastics contribute seven
^percent, and less than one percent qf plastic waste is currently
recycled. Additionally, some plastic items end up as litter thai
poses ecological risk to the marine environment and aesthetic
and economic loss. These facts have led to the exploration qf
degradable plastics as one possible solution.
Degradabfe Plastics Defined
Degradable plastics are engineered to be less resistant to degradation
than "normal" plastic. The following are currently the most prominent
technologies being Investigated for consumer products and packaging:
Photodegradation adds a sun-sensltlve component that
triggers physical disintegration when exposed to sunlight
Biodegradation adds a natural polymer such as corn starch or
vegetable oil that degrades into smaller pieces of plastic when
exposed to the appropriate environment.
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Do Degradables Fit Into Solid Waste Solutions?
Reduction oj Waste:
but the amount of waste produced is the same.
Plastic rwyders fear that degradable plastics ; will
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how de^adable plastic bags work, however, they may prove
useful in collecting and composting yard waste.
^degradation begins.
Som'e^Oa^rS 7:30 p.m.ESTT. Monday «bn^mby. Ask the
Hotline for informatioii on ordering the full report.
Original Printing on Roeyctod Paper
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REPORT TO CONGRESS: METHODS TO MANAGE AND CONTROL PLASTIC WASTES
February, 1990
FROM: U.S. ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION AGENCY
Office of Solid Waste/Office of Marine & Estuarine Protection
Washington, D.C.
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Degradable products are not included in the integrated waste management system EPA
prepared for MpoUcy, proposals in its 'Agenda for Action,' and thus do not have a defined
role in current EPA pobc.es. Further, degradable plastic products introduce a new range of
environmental issues and their influence on current waste management concerns remains largely
undefined. These uncertainties are described in the sections below.
5.5.1 Scope of the Analysis
This section summarizes available information about the current and potential development of
degradable plastics aod examines possible approaches to increasing the use of such materials
All types of degradable plastics intended for use in plastic product markets are considered here
Issues covered include types of degradation processes and the environmental implications of this
waste management technique.
5.5.2 Types of Degradable Plastics aod Degradation Processes
Six methods of enhancing or achieving degradation of plastic have been defined in the literature
and are described bekw. The most important technologies, based on available data and
apparent market potential, are pfaotodegradation, biodegradation, and biodeterioration.
Photodegradation - Degradation caused through the action of sunlight .on the polymer
Biodegradation - Degradation that occurs through the action of microorganismraucb as
bacteria, yeast, fungi, and algae -
Biodeterioration - Degradation that occurs through the action of-macrooreaiusms such AS
beetles, slugs, etc,
Autooxidation - Degradation caused by chemical reactions with oxygen
Hydrolysis - Degradation that occurs when water cleaves the backbone of a porymer,
resulting in a decrease in molecular weight and a loss of physical properties
Solubilization - Dissolution of polymers that occurs when a water-soluble link is included in
the polymer [Note: soluble polymers remain in polymeric form and do not actually
"degrade." They are included here because they are sometimes mentioned in the literature
on degradable plastics,]
Debate continues regarding the most appropriate definitions for these degradation processes as
well as regarding the operation a! or performance standards for such processes. The absence of
accepted definitions has been cited .as a factor impeding the development of degradable plastics
(U.S. GAO, 1988). The American Society for Testing and Materials (ASTM) has organized a
committee to define terms for plastics degradation and to develop standards for testing and
measuring 'degradability."
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pane
to
Photo- arxf biodegradation are discussed in detail below, but a general comment about the
processes can be made here. Fir* the rate of degradation of plastic mS L the
environment is a function of both the characteristics of the plastic product and the
r^rTL?0^0115 fa ^ il b pUced- ^ »dditi°D of characteristics that increase
photodegradabOity, for example, is an effective waste management step only if the product is
expo ed to sunlight Thus, degradable plastics must be matched with an eventual
°r Wlh ^ to be
the subsecuons below, more information is provided about the mechanisms involved for the
JJ.h^T ?rOCeSSeS ^ ^ C0fflmercial »«^t>« that are being purged
summary of he degradation processes that have been introduced by manufacturers
not nec«sanly commercially exploited) for plastic polymers is showi
5.5.2.1 Photodejradstlon
Sunlight is the dominant source of the ultraviolet radiation that will produce -photodeeradation
bd^r bghtm« generaUy.will not produce photodegradation both be^use^dow^f^em'
out most uluralet radiauon from sunlight and because other indoor light lounaita^
Dh±CCerHCbK,Ultrr°Iet^diati0n' ^^ P»»«^««»«tk)n is primarily an^door process
photodegradable plasnc products used primarily indoors can therefore be given "controlled
productt are dtarded outdoors - K utter for
To enhance the photodegradation properties of a plastic, manufacturers have modified or
developed new polymen that contain photosensitive substances in the polymer chain.
"" ^ t 8re Photo$ensjtive •«> ««se degradation of
THE.PLA.STJC POLYMER - Photodegradation may be accomplished by
incorporating a photosensitive link in the polymer chain. The principal method used thus far
has been the incorporation of carbon monoxide molecules, also referred to as carbonyl groups,
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into the Polymers. If carbonyl groups absorb sufficient ultraviolet radiation they under™ *
"rr^^^^
The rate of photodegradation depends oo the number of carbonyl groups added
to .Bow subsequent biodegradation of tower-weight chemical molecules For Stance
molecute n,ay have molecular weights of 20.000 or higher WotS
reduces this .eight, but for bWegradation of the polymer to occur « significant
™ ^-"""^ » WO"*"'* »° <*>«*• »M « Sceo
been
have developed potentially biodegradable products either by 'modifying the
""" «lected *dditiv«- 1° the latter case, the plaitic polyTer eft
additive Temaim intact altbou|h * may no
PLT1C fOLVMER - Most P3astic
^ "
commodity
«-
« «*
, h v hOWCver' includin« se'e«ed polyesters and polyurethanes.
These biodegradable resms were developed for low.volume specialty uses fbrwtieh
biodegradabOtty u desirable, such ai some agricultural applications (e.g., seedling pots for
automata reforestation machines). Some of these end products for bJodegrad
thdr
As of a 1957 symposium on degradable plastics sponsored by SPI, biodegradable resins
appropriate for use in packaging had not been developed (Johnson, 1987). One type of "
aliphatic Polyester, polyester poly(3 hydroxyburyrate-3 hydroxyvalerate), or PHBV ha been
developed by Id Americas in England. It is biodegradable ind reputed to have ctaraSeA tics
\
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. The degradation
•ddition of the starch. Starch
10% relative to the xt^
to 60% of product volume.
manufacturer. St. Lawrence S^rch, hai
by microorganisms and the autooddant
help degrade the
field
P°plil!Li0n °f
BOt been enhanced
« » «»«. U, « 5 to
S! fa tm°unts U
hu • One polymer
bu7l.tbe«arcb «dditive is consumed
A?* ^ to f°m P6"8*1*
'
Other Degradation Processes
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Degrabable Plastic Ring Carriers
Title I of Public Law 100-556 [8.1986]
October 28, 1988
\V
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1
PUBLIC LAW 100-556 [S. 1986); October 28,1988
DEGRADABLE PLASTIC RING CARRIERS; SAN
FRANCISCO BAY NATIONAL
WILDLIFE REFUGE
For Legislative History of Act, see p. 3632.
A* Act »• r*4«> pUstk ring tmrrimt 4*virai fc* Jigradrtli, mnt If »Mi«r fuffttt.
: \
Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of the
United States of America in Congress assembled,
TITLE I—DEGRADABLE PLASTIC RING
CARRIERS
SEC. 101. FINDINGS.
The Congress finds that—
(1) plastic ring carrier devices have been found in large
quantities in the marine environment;
(2) Ash and wildlife have been known to have become entan-
gled in plastic ring carriers;
(3) nondegradable plastic ring carrier devices can remain
intact, in the marine environment for decades, posing a threat to
fish and wildlife; and
(4) 16 States have enacted laws requiring that plastic ring
carrier devices be made from degradable material in order to
reduce litter and to protect fish and wildlife.
SEC. 102. DEFINITIONS.
As used in this title—
(1) the term "regulated item" means any plastic ring carrier
device that contains at least one hole greater than PA inches in
diameter which is made, used, or designed for the purpose of
packaging, transporting, or carrying multipackaged cans or
bottles, and which is of a size, shape, design, or type capable,
when discarded, of becoming entangled with fish or wildlife; and
(2}the term.^naturally degradable material" means a mate-
rial .which, when discarded, will be reduced to environmentally
benign subunits-under the action of normal-environmental
forces,-such as, among others, biological decomposition, photo-'
degradation, «r hydrolysis*?
SEC. 103. REGULATION.
Not later than 24 months after the date of the enactment of this
title
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^
it
Hi
v'i
i% •*..
P.L. 100-556
LAWS OF 100th CONG.—2nd SESS.
Oct. 28
Public
information,
Fish and fishing
16USC666dd
note
16USC66bdd
note
of the item and the physical integrity required for such use. Such
regulation shall allow a reasonable time for affected parties to com2
into compliance, including the use of existing inventories.
R3AN>RANCISCO BAY
NATIONAL WILDLIFE REFUGE
SEC 2^. ENLARGEMENT OF REFUGE.
Secti?\2 ?fthe Act entitled "An Act to pro/de for the establish-
?ent ?^dS>an Francisco Bay National Wjldfift Refuge", approved
June 30,1$U <16 U.S.C. 668dd note), is arn^ded to read ksYiUoS
'SEC. 2. TVre shall be included with/i the boundaries of the
refuge the following: 7
"(1) Thosklands. marshes, tidal/flats, salt ponds, submerged
lands, and open waters in the s/uth San Francisco Bay area
generally depi&ied on the map/entitled 'Boundary Map Pro-
pos,d San Francisco Bay National Wildlife Refuge*, dated July
1971, and which comprise approximately twenty-one thousand
six hundred and si*ty-two acres within four distinct units to be
known as Fremont \fiveythousand five hundred and twenty
acres), Mowry SloughVs/ven thousand one hundred and sev-
enty-five acresl, AlvisoYthree thousand and eighty acres), and
Greco Island (five thods^snd eight hundred and eighty seven
acres). Said boundar^ ma)s shall be on file and available for
public inspection it/the offices of the United States Fish and
W ildlife Service, Department V the Interior.
"(2) Up to 20,000 acres in theVicinity of the areas described in
paragraph (1). sfrid similar to th\ areas described in paragraph
(1). which theJBecretary determined are necessary to protect fish
and wildlife resources.".
SRC. 202. TOTAL/REA OF REFUGE.
Subsection/a) of section 3 of such Act is\amended in the second
sen^nJ?e b>/strik»ng "twenty-three thousan\acres" and inserting
"43,000 acnes . x
SEC. 20.1. AUTHORIZATION OF APPROPRIATIONS.
5 of such Act is amended—
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INTERNATIONAL SOURCES
See Attached letters to the Research Library for Solid Waste, EPA
Region 1 from:
Asociacion Tecnica Para La Gestion De Residuous Solidos, Spain.
General Secretariat, The International Solid Wastes and Public
Cleansing Association, Copenhagen Office, Denmark.
Polish Association of Sanitary Engineers and Technicians, Poland.
The Swedish Association of Solid Waste Management, Sweden.
Istituto Di Ingegneria Sanitaria, Politecnico Di Milano, Italy.
[NOTE: ATTACHMENTS FOLLOW]
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ASOOACION TECNIC'A PARA LA GESTION
DE RESIDUOS SOLIDOS
MIEMBRO NACIONAI DE ISWA
MIEMBRO DE: CLEAN WORLD
AGHTM
ISWM
APWA
RESEARCH LIBRARY FOR SOLID WASTE
U.S. ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION AGENCY
Region 1
HEE-CAN 6
J&hn F. Kennedy Federal Building
Boston, MA 02203 USA -J
\
fi
I
' X.
11th. JTuly 1990
Dear Mr. Friedman,
I make reference to your letter of the 23rd. May
For me the term "biodegradable" means something •
that can be destroyed bioligically .
Yours sincerely,
A T t G R U S
SECRETARY GENERAL
6»pr«MnU.n» Cfkanol en fe 1SWA
P.S. Please note our new address
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page
THE INTERNATIONAL SOLID WASTES AND PUBLIC CLEANSING ASSOCIATION.
Gentr»t Secretariat
Jeanne Mailer
fctpenoerhuset
V. F«tim»8sgi8« 29
DK1606 Copenhagen V
Denmark
Ittepnone +4S33156S65
!•*•)*«. *4S33937171
15 June, 1990
JM/SM
Fred T. Friedman
Research Librarian
United States Environmental Protection Agency
J.F. Kennedy Federal Building
Boston, Massachusetts 02203-2211
Dear Mr. Friedman:
We have asked three of our engineers to provide us with a
term for "biodegradable" and the following is their exact
definition.
CHARACTERIZATION OF BIODEGRADABLE ORGANIC MATTER:
Organic matter may serve as an energy and carbon source in a
fciologijeal -system. In environmental engineering microbial
ibiodegradstion is of special Interest.
A main 'Characteristic for biodegradable organic matter is
the rol-e -of biodegradation relative to the length of time
biodegradation Is considered, ie. residence time, tr, In a
system.
Biomass (relative)
theoretical limit
for non-biodeg-
radable organic
matter
tioe
If change in the biomass IB approximately zero during the
residence tine in question, the organic matter may be
regarded as non-biodegradable.
Pietaena Woe Presioent
HaioenDuU JohnH Stunner
Frans Has-aa- 3 CWic* oJ Resea.tr> ant! Development
N' -6601 EE Soi US Enwonmenial Proieciioo Agency
Tne Ne?*-.2->35 401 MS«ee: Sw
fasiPiesrfleni
Jean Deleche
Tranement HiSusif*!
ees Resia js Urba.ns
13t. OOJWvwO Ma ussmann
Treasjte'
RobenG Ferjuson
439 Uni««rsit> Avenue
Toronic. Ona-io V 66 1VE
Washington Sub-Secretariat
WitiiamS. Forester
SWA
Suite 401
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THE INTERNATIONAL SOLID WASTES AND PUBLIC CLEANSING ASSOCIATION.
Je»nne Mallet
Inoenoerhusei
V F»rim»9sg»0e 29
DK-1606 Copenhagen V
•telephone *«533 166565
ltle)a« *453393717t
Page 2
It Is important that the same organic natter may be
considered biodegradable if (tr) Increases.
Yours sincerely,
for Jeanne M011er
General "Secretary
U
Susan McCarty
Pies-oem
Ha-oe-Dj--
Fire, na'aiaa- 3
NL 569! EE SOT
1r»e Netnenznos
O«ice o' Resea-cr. »no Deveiop-ne-n
US Emmonme-.u1 Pioftoion Agency
401 M Swet: Sw
Vrtsr>ingior> D C. 20460
USA
R»si Presocii
Jet-.
ties Besifl js Urt>a>ns
13*. bojieva'0 Majssmann
F-76366RifisCeoe«08
Fiance
Treasufe1
fiooen G v. '
Mei'OS" •»' '
439 u-' ••••
•A»«nue
W.II.ZT.S Fo-esie-
ISWA
Sune 101
1301 Pennsylvania Avenue. N\v
Vkashmjion. D.C. 20004
USA
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/I
,'£
TTTUTET-
65-246 Zieloni G6ra, ul. Podg6rnB 50; skr. poczt. 47. Telefony: centrals 48-31 (fa.czy wszystkie n-ry
wewn.). Rektor 707-35; Prorektor d/s Nauki 703-82; Prorektor d/J Nauczania i Wychowania 722-06;
Dyrektor Adm. 39-44. Telex 043-22-15. Konto bank. NBP It O.M. Zielona G6ra nr 87026-521-189-31.
PDiJiK
Was? */»Ar
Subject: term:
11 bi o a e grad£.bl ef'
*/»* .....
Zielona G6r».
Research Library for Solid Waste
U.S. Environmental Protection Agency
Region 1
HES-CAN6
John P. Kennedy Federal Building
Boston, £>A 02203, USA
Attn.: l-!r Pred 5f. Priedroan,
Research Librarian
Dear ir.r Priednian:
Authorized by the Secretary General of the Polish Association of
Sanitary " Engineers and Technicians iur Eysaard Parusz-ewski, 3. would
£nsv.-er your letter of 23 i«ay 1990.
You asked about the definition of the term ""biodegradable',.
ans\ver cannot be a unique one, and should be xather ..^Lescrisiive
in some fe\v words only. I looked through different BotcrcEst-.?end
the results:
I/ Oxford Advanced Learner's Dictionary of Current English, by A.S.
Hornby. Oxford University Press 1974.
Biodegradable: (of substance) that can be broken down toy .bacteria.
2/ Glossary on Solid V/aste, by P.K.Patrick. WHO Regional Office for
Europe, Copenhagen 1980.
Biodegradable: Capable of being broken dorm physically and/or
chemically by the action of microorganisms.
3/ Handbook of Industrial »Vaste Disposal, by ?...A.Conway, and li.D.
ROES, VaT; 3?c strand Eeinhold Kevj York 1980.
Sorie techniques of . experimental determination of biodegradability
v.lth references (3-1, 3-2, 3-3 P«143j are described in the book.
4/ Conpost Engineering, by Roger f.Haug. ^nn Arbor Science Publisher
Ann .r.rbor I960, pp.248.
Haug introduced the degradability coefficients, but he does no't
give a definition for "biodegradable" substances.
5/ Jroastawy Ochrony Srodov;isl:a (pundanentals of Environment1 Protect-
ion - in i-olich), by B.Giovriak, il.S.Kempa, and '1.,/innicki. PWiv
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Science Publishers Warsaw 1985, pp. 45 and 59: _:
Biodegradable substances: organic matter which can be degraded by
the action of microorganisms under natural, aerobic conditions in a
quantity of 50j£ of the input during 48 hours.
Remarks: Natural conditions means2 in soil, in water, in wastewater|
The contrary of biodegradable is: refractory or resistive.
6/ Gospodarka odpadami miejskizai (Management of Uunicipal Refuse - in
Polish), by Edward S. Kempa. AHKADY Publishing House, \Varsaw 1983,
pp.88-89.
For biodegradable substances I used the contractual term "FOS" -
fermentable organic substance, which is a part of YDS. In our stu-
dies on the composition of municipal refuse from various Polish
towns and cities, the FOS varied from 0.38 to 0.50 (with a weightec
aver. 0.43-0.45) of YDS. In the analytical procedure it is assxir,ed,|
that TOG makes O.47 FOS. The analytical procedure is described in:
Er.Yi'AG-ISV/A fsdit. 2. Grabnerj: Methoden zur Untersuchung von .Kbfa
stoffen (in"*German). Duebendorf 1977. Procedure K-3028.
Could you please let me know whether you are satisfied with ssy informs
tions. Should you have further questions, please do not hesitate to g(
in contact with me.
Yours sincerely,
Dr. Edward S. Kempa,
Professor in Environmental
Engineering.
_cc._; Kr Ryszard Paruszewski
"Secretary General
c/o Polskie Zrzeszenie Inzyniero\v
i Technikow Sanitamych
Czackiego 3/5
00-950 Warszawa
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SVENSKA RENHALLNINGSVERKS-FORENINGEN
United States Environmental
Protection Affencrg
X^Att. Fred T. Friedman _^
Region i
J.F.Kennedy Federal Bulldnlng
Boston
Massachusetts
USA
KHCHIVEL
1 S 90
Malmoe, Sweden 1990-08-03
Dear collegue,
By request 1 will send you following definition of the term
"biodegradable".
Biological material which is possible to break down in a unaffected
process.
Please Jet a
Best regards
Yours^sincerely
.are: totally wrong In our Interpreting
Svenska
Cstergat
21122KWLM6
Na: 040-104045
Int. «46-4 0-104 045
O40-97 10 64
4724169-0
BAntiarTo/B
«5-9877
Organtuientnumm*':
SS6260-SSS3
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JJ1
VIA f«ATEJ.lJ GOKL1NI, I • 20JJ1 MILANO (ITALIAJ
TEL. t02»4S20J54-432054» . TELEX: 5JJ467 POLIMI- 1
ILDIRETTORE
MILANO
"the 39 of October 1990
. UP.
NS. UF.
VIII.32
•Mr. Fred FRIEDMAN - (Research Librarian)1
Reserch Library for Solid Waste
U. S. Environmental Protection Agency
Region 1
HEE - CAN 6
John F. .Kennedy Federal Building
[Boston, MA 02203 U.S.A. _J
Dear Mr. Friedman,
with reference to Year letter of the 23 of Kay 1990, I have at present
the opportunity to supply you with a definition of the tens "biodegrada-
ble".
Hoping that such definition will be useful to You for Your
project, I send my best wishes and regards.
ours sincerely
onomo)
own? . i.ooo . a.ee -
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Biodegradability is a general term usually indicating the
aptitude of a substance to undergo a degradation process operated by living
organisms, that is, a degradation resulting from bacterial animal and
vegetable metabolism.
He could practically define "biodegradable " as the aptitude of
a soluble organic compound to undergo a microbiological degradation, mostly
due to bacteria. However, from a quantitative point of view, this is not a
specific definition, as it doesen't reveal anything about the reaction's
npe«d and the destination of tKe reaction product*.
The "complete biodegradability" o "mineralisation" is the
transformation (conversion) of complex organic compounds into final
inorganic products such as COa,'HaO and mineral aalts, through the metabolic
processes related to the growth of microorganisms.
The "functional biodegradability" is the microbial
transformation (conversion) of a substance into intermediate products, whose
characteristics differ from those of the original products.
The intermediate products are generally less toxic (this process
could be defined as "detoxification"), or in some rare cases, more toxic.
On the contrary, the term of "bior«moval" is intended to mean
the removal of a substance from a solution, a suspension or an aerosol
state, resulting from a combined or "borrowed" action of physical,
chemical or biological .feature (e.g. the bioflocculation supported or
activated by microorganisms).
The quantitative measure is equivalent to the time of half
conversion, ^t»0; t 1/2), which is needed in order to obtain the falling off
x>f Suilf x>f the original product. On the base of this parameter it was
:to adraw «ome biodegradability scales as the following one:
for the quantification of biodegradability
Denomination
t 1/2 (year)
Biodegradable
Moderately biodegradable
Persistent
Permanent
0,01
0,1
> a
> i
0,1
0,8
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