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61,005 resultsShowing papers similar to Technical note: the influence of controlled thermophilic composting of PLA bio-composites on bacterial community
ClearChanges in the Thermal and Structural Properties of Polylactide and Its Composites During a Long-Term Degradation Process
Researchers studied the long-term degradation of polylactide (PLA) composites to understand how their thermal and structural properties change over time. The findings indicate that as PLA breaks down during composting, there is potential for microplastic formation, and the rate of decomposition varies depending on the composite composition.
The Polymer-Plastisphere-Function Nexus Links to Divergent Biodegradation of Microplastics During Composting.
Researchers found a fundamental dichotomy in microplastic biodegradation during thermophilic composting, where biodegradable polymers (PLA, PBS, PBAT) underwent rapid degradation driven by selective microbial community assembly shaped by polymer chemistry, while conventional plastics resisted breakdown despite similar composting conditions.
State of the art on biodegradability of bio-based plastics containing polylactic acid
This review examines whether bio-based plastics made from polylactic acid (PLA) actually break down in the environment as intended. While certain microorganisms can degrade PLA, the process is slow and depends heavily on conditions like temperature and moisture. The findings matter because if bio-based plastics do not fully break down, they can still fragment into microplastics, posing many of the same environmental and health risks as conventional plastics.
Degradation of Film and Rigid Bioplastics During the Thermophilic Phase and the Maturation Phase of Simulated Composting
Researchers tested how well commercially certified compostable bioplastics (starch-based, PBAT, and PLA) actually degrade under realistic industrial composting conditions, finding that PLA degradation was highly sensitive to both plastic thickness and the duration of the high-temperature composting phase. The results suggest that current industrial composting timelines may be insufficient to fully break down certified compostable plastics, raising questions about real-world end-of-life claims.
The bifunctional impact of polylactic acid microplastics on composting processes and soil-plant systems: Dynamics of microbial communities and ecological niche competition
Researchers investigated how polylactic acid microplastics affect microbial communities during composting and the subsequent impact on soil and plants. They found that the microplastics played a dual role, suppressing some bacterial groups while promoting others depending on the composting phase, and shifted the core microbial network from bacterial to fungal dominance during stabilization. The study indicates that composting as a disposal method for biodegradable plastics can transfer microplastic-driven microbial changes to soil, causing oxidative stress in plants.
Do poly(lactic acid) microplastics instigate a threat? A perception for their dynamic towards environmental pollution and toxicity
This review examines whether poly(lactic acid), a popular biodegradable plastic marketed as an eco-friendly alternative, actually poses environmental risks as it breaks down into microplastics. Researchers found that PLA only degrades fully under specific industrial composting conditions with high temperatures and moisture, and may persist much longer in natural environments. The study calls for deeper investigation into the environmental fate and potential toxicity of PLA microplastics as their use continues to grow.
Incomplete degradation of aromatic–aliphatic copolymer leads to proliferation of microplastics and antibiotic resistance genes
This study found that incomplete composting of biodegradable aromatic-aliphatic copolymer plastics releases microplastic fragments and alters microbial community composition in compost, raising questions about whether biodegradable plastics are adequately treated in standard composting conditions.
Microbial Degradation of Polylactic Acid Bioplastic
This review covers how microorganisms degrade polylactic acid (PLA) bioplastic under different environmental conditions. Understanding PLA biodegradation is important for assessing whether PLA products actually break down as intended in real-world environments rather than persisting as microplastics.
Fate of polylactic acid microplastics during anaerobic digestion of kitchen waste: Insights on property changes, released dissolved organic matters, and biofilm formation
Polylactic acid (PLA) microplastics were tracked through the anaerobic digestion of kitchen waste, revealing that PLA particles underwent surface changes and released dissolved organic matter but were not fully degraded during the process. The study shows that even supposedly biodegradable plastics can persist and alter biofilm formation in anaerobic digestion systems.
3D-printed polylactic acid biopolymer and textile fibers: comparing the degradation process
3D-printed polylactic acid (PLA) objects and PLA textile fibers were compared in their degradation behavior under composting and environmental conditions. Both materials degraded over time but at different rates depending on their physical form and surface area. The study provides insights into how PLA-based products break down and whether they produce persistent microplastic residues.
Hydrolyzable microplastics in soil—low biodegradation but formation of a specific microbial habitat?
Hydrolyzable microplastics such as polylactic acid showed low biodegradation in soil despite their marketed degradability, while their surfaces hosted distinct microbial communities forming a specialized plastisphere. The study questions the environmental safety of biodegradable plastics in agricultural soil contexts.
Breakdown of plastic waste into microplastics during an industrial Composting: A case study from a biowaste facility
A study of industrial composting facilities found that plastic waste items introduced into the compost feedstock broke down into microplastics during the composting process, with finished compost containing significant MP concentrations that could contaminate agricultural soils where the compost is applied.
Fragmentation and Mineralization of a Compostable Aromatic–Aliphatic Polyester during Industrial Composting
Researchers tracked the fragmentation and biodegradation of a compostable aromatic-aliphatic polyester spiked into compost under industrial composting conditions, finding that while disintegration occurred as expected, microplastic-sized fragments with incomplete mineralization raised concerns about residual polymer persistence.
Low temperature pyrolysis of polylactic acid (PLA) and its products
Researchers investigated the low-temperature pyrolysis of polylactic acid (PLA) plastic, finding that slow pyrolysis can convert PLA waste into bio-oil and gas. Since PLA is often falsely assumed to be compostable in all conditions, finding efficient end-of-life treatment methods is important to prevent it from becoming a microplastic source.
Abiotic Degradation and Composting Behavior of 3D-Printed PLA and PLA/Wood Biocomposites
Researchers investigated the abiotic degradation and composting behavior of 3D-printed polylactic acid and PLA/wood biocomposites, motivated by the growing use of 3D printing technology and the polymeric waste it generates. They assessed how these materials break down under environmental and composting conditions, with implications for managing plastic residues from additive manufacturing.
Study of PLA pre-treatment, enzymatic and model-compost degradation, and valorization of degradation products to bacterial nanocellulose
Researchers tested methods to break down polylactic acid (PLA), a common bio-based plastic, using chemical pre-treatment followed by enzymatic and composting processes. They then converted the degradation products into valuable bacterial nanocellulose. This work is relevant because even bio-based plastics can become microplastic pollutants, and finding ways to fully degrade them into useful materials helps close the loop on plastic waste.
Chemical-Physical Characterization of Bio-Based Biodegradable Plastics in View of Identifying Suitable Recycling/Recovery Strategies and Numerical Modeling of PLA Pyrolysis
Researchers characterized several bio-based and biodegradable polymer alternatives to conventional plastics using chemical-physical methods, assessing their suitability for industrial composting and identifying challenges in managing these bioplastics in the existing waste stream.
Disintegration of commercial biodegradable plastic products under simulated industrial composting conditions
Researchers tested ten commercial biodegradable plastic products under simulated industrial composting conditions to see how well they actually break down. While some products disintegrated significantly, others showed incomplete breakdown, and the process generated microplastic fragments during degradation. This raises questions about whether biodegradable plastics truly solve the plastic pollution problem or simply create smaller plastic particles.
A theoretical description of polylactic acid biodegradation in composting processes through mathematical modeling
Researchers developed a mathematical model to predict polylactic acid (PLA) biodegradation during composting, finding that complete biodegradation theoretically occurs over time and that a carbon-to-nitrogen ratio of 32.5 achieves 90% degradation in approximately 150 days. This is relevant to microplastic research as it provides a modeling framework for optimizing the composting conditions needed to fully biodegrade PLA and prevent it from fragmenting into persistent microplastic particles.
Aging of biodegradable plastics alters soil aggregate stability and organic carbon through shifts in microbial community composition
Researchers examined how polylactic acid (PLA) drinking straw fragments at varying concentrations alter soil aggregate stability, organic carbon, and microbial communities, finding that moderate concentrations initially boosted aggregate stability and microbial diversity before higher concentrations caused decline, while PLA degradation enriched potentially pathogenic bacteria.
Mineralization and microbial utilization of poly(lactic acid) microplastic in soil
Researchers tracked how polylactic acid (PLA) microplastics, a common biodegradable plastic, actually break down in different agricultural soils. They found that standard testing methods significantly overestimate how quickly PLA degrades because they fail to account for interactions with soil organic matter. The study reveals that PLA microplastics may persist longer in some soils than previously thought, raising questions about how truly biodegradable these materials are in real-world conditions.
Fate and dynamics of microplastics in the municipal waste composting process
Researchers tracked microplastic abundance and polymer composition across five consecutive composting stages of municipal waste at the Galuga landfill in Indonesia, finding stage-specific changes including process-based reduction and fragmentation dynamics that highlight both the capacity and limitations of composting for mitigating microplastic contamination.
Numerical framework for anaerobic digestion and/or composting of bioplastics and organic waste performance evaluation under real-like large scale operating conditions
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.
Characteristics and release potential of microplastics in municipal solid waste incineration bottom ash
This study characterized microplastics in municipal solid waste compost, examining how composting conditions affect particle abundance, size distribution, and polymer composition in the final product used for agricultural application.