Degradation behavior and environmental impacts of a hemp-containing "eco-friendly" compostable plastic in natural environments
The result's identifiers
Result code in IS VaVaI
<a href="https://www.isvavai.cz/riv?ss=detail&h=RIV%2F62690094%3A18470%2F25%3A50022558" target="_blank" >RIV/62690094:18470/25:50022558 - isvavai.cz</a>
Alternative codes found
RIV/00216275:25310/25:39923102
Result on the web
<a href="https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S0956053X25004568" target="_blank" >https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S0956053X25004568</a>
DOI - Digital Object Identifier
<a href="http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.wasman.2025.115045" target="_blank" >10.1016/j.wasman.2025.115045</a>
Alternative languages
Result language
angličtina
Original language name
Degradation behavior and environmental impacts of a hemp-containing "eco-friendly" compostable plastic in natural environments
Original language description
A field experiment was carried out to assess the degradation behavior and environmental impacts of hemp fiber-containing polymeric material labeled as "compostable plastic". The main question was: What happens if products made from this material are released into nature? To find the answer, small pieces of this composite material were exposed to sandy clay soil and river water for 2, 4, 8, 13, 18, 23, 28, and 33 weeks. After taking out, the samples were thoroughly analyzed using light and electron microscopy, thermogravimetry, differential thermal analysis, X-ray diffractometry, and Fourier-transform infrared spectroscopy. It was found that the material is fairly stable in both tested natural environments. It remained compact even after 33 weeks, almost without weight loss. Only about 10-15 % of its bioorganic content was decomposed during the long-term degradation. If products made from this material are left in the natural environment, they will cause longterm pollution, including the formation of microplastics. This "compostable" plastic also can not be composted because one of its components is degradation-resistant polypropylene. Thus, despite the manufacturer's declarations, the material is not a good choice for eco-friendly production. The results show that it is not always appropriate to dispose of materials labeled as "compostable plastics" or similar by putting them into a compost bin or just leaving them in nature. Our findings also highlight the need for an objective assessment of the environmental impacts of so-called "eco-friendly", "green", or "sustainable" products rather than their reckless promotion and consumption.
Czech name
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Czech description
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Classification
Type
J<sub>imp</sub> - Article in a specialist periodical, which is included in the Web of Science database
CEP classification
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OECD FORD branch
10511 - Environmental sciences (social aspects to be 5.7)
Result continuities
Project
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Continuities
I - Institucionalni podpora na dlouhodoby koncepcni rozvoj vyzkumne organizace
Others
Publication year
2025
Confidentiality
S - Úplné a pravdivé údaje o projektu nepodléhají ochraně podle zvláštních právních předpisů
Data specific for result type
Name of the periodical
WASTE MANAGEMENT
ISSN
0956-053X
e-ISSN
1879-2456
Volume of the periodical
206
Issue of the periodical within the volume
September
Country of publishing house
GB - UNITED KINGDOM
Number of pages
12
Pages from-to
"Article Number: 115045"
UT code for WoS article
001544901700004
EID of the result in the Scopus database
2-s2.0-105012271774