Home compostability

Home composting provides an effective way to manage organic waste on a small scale or within a household setting, involving the transformation of organic matter into compost through the activity of microorganisms.

This analysis package is used to assess the suitability of materials for organic recycling through home composting. While there is currently no international standard for this specific evaluation, the Australian standard AS 5810 is widely acknowledged as the reference standard.

The standard encompasses five key assessments:

1. Chemical analysis of raw materials: Ensuring the absence of heavy metals and toxic compounds in the material.

2. Biodegradation Tests: Evaluating how plastic breaks down and examining its environmental impact.

3. Disintegration Tests: Assessing how plastics fragment into smaller pieces under various environmental conditions.

4. Compost Quality Assessment: Ensuring that the resulting compost maintains a comparable quality to compost without the presence of plastic or other materials.

5. Ecotoxicity: Verifying that the product resulting from biodegradation is not toxic to living organisms, with evaluations conducted at two levels: higher plants and invertebrates.

The goal is to obtain a clear understanding of whether the sample material can undergo effective organic recycling in a home composting environment, utilizing the comprehensive criteria outlined by the Australian standard.

The price covers a testing time of 6 months, which is the most typical testing time for biodegradable plastics. If 12 months of testing (the maximum time) is needed, an extra €1,500 will be charged.