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Influence of Dilinoleic Succinate Segments on the Biodegradation of Poly(butylene succinate- co -dilinoleic succinate) Copolymers under Composting and Anaerobic Digestion Conditions
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Scientists tested a new plant-based plastic (made partly from plant oils) to see how well it breaks down in compost versus in oxygen-free environments like landfills. The plastic broke down substantially better during composting than regular biodegradable plastic (PBS), but like its counterpart, it barely degraded at all without oxygen — meaning proper composting facilities, not landfills, are key to these materials actually reducing plastic waste and pollution. This matters because materials that don't fully break down can persist as microplastics, so choosing the right disposal method is just as important as choosing a "biodegradable" material in the first place.
High Resolution Image Download MS PowerPoint Slide Growing environmental and human health concerns associated with the persistence of nondegradable polymeric materials have intensified the global demand for sustainable alternatives. Consequently, research has increasingly focused on the development of biobased and biodegradable polymers as a means to mitigate plastic pollution. In this context, the present study investigates the biodegradation behavior of poly(butylene succinate) (PBS) and poly(butylene succinate- co -dilinoleic succinate) (PBS–DLS) copolymers under mesophilic anaerobic digestion (AD) and thermophilic aerobic composting conditions. After 99 days of anaerobic incubation, the tested materials exhibited negligible mineralization and no significant mass loss, indicating limited biodegradability under oxygen-deficient conditions. In contrast, all materials underwent substantial degradation during thermophilic composting (97 days), with PBS–DLS 70–30 demonstrating the highest extent of mineralization─nearly twice that of PBS─and approximately 30% greater mass loss. Gel permeation chromatography (GPC) analysis revealed a decrease in molecular weight for all samples, with the most pronounced reductions observed under composting conditions. Fourier transform infrared (FTIR) spectroscopy confirmed distinct structural alterations in both PBS and PBS–DLS following exposure to both environments, particularly for PBS–DLS 70–30. Differential scanning calorimetry (DSC) analysis indicated measurable shifts in phase transition temperatures, consistent with polymer chain scission and morphological reorganization induced by degradation. Surface morphology analysis using scanning electron microscopy (SEM), optical microscopy (OM), and macroscopic imaging showed minimal surface alteration after AD, while pronounced erosion and fragmentation were evident following composting. Collectively, these results underscore the limited anaerobic degradability of PBS and the markedly enhanced compostability of PBS–DLS copolymers with increasing DLS segment content. The findings highlight the potential of PBS–DLS copolymers as promising candidates for environmentally benign materials in sustainable packaging and biomedical applications.
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Researchers assessed the biodegradation of PLA and PBS biopolymer films and granules under controlled composting conditions over six months. PLA-based materials showed limited degradation while PBS degraded more substantially, highlighting that compostability varies significantly among bioplastics and may be insufficient under real-world composting conditions.
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Researchers tested whether a heat-and-alkali pretreatment could improve the breakdown of biodegradable plastics PBAT and PLA through anaerobic digestion. They found that pretreatment significantly improved methane production from PLA-containing blends but had limited effect on PBAT alone, which remained resistant to digestion. The results suggest that even plastics labeled as biodegradable may not break down easily in real-world composting and waste treatment systems.
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This study looked at whether "biodegradable" plastics (like those in compostable food containers) actually break down when mixed with food waste in biogas facilities. The good news: one type (PHB) fully broke down, while the other (PLA) only partially degraded unless pretreated with a chemical bath first, meaning some biodegradable plastics may not fully disappear during typical waste processing, which matters because leftover plastic fragments could end up in the fertilizer made from this waste and spread on farmland. The upside is that adding either plastic didn't harm the quality of that fertilizer, but the findings suggest not all "biodegradable"
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Scientists tested how well "biodegradable" plastics actually break down in oxygen-free environments like landfills and found that many don't degrade as expected. Instead, several types of these supposedly eco-friendly plastics break apart into tiny plastic particles called microplastics that stick around for a long time. This matters because these microplastics can end up in our food and water, and we're still learning about their potential health effects.
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Researchers used computer modeling to simulate how well certified biodegradable plastics — including PLA cups and starch-based bags — actually break down in real anaerobic digestion and composting facilities, finding that industrial composting alone only degrades 42–44% of PLA in 28 days. The study warns that current waste infrastructure may not be sufficient to handle the growing volumes of bioplastics, potentially leading to microplastic-like contamination of compost and soil.
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