Landfill-Biodegradable
Everyday Plastic
When it comes to biodegradable plastics, the three main choices are:
- Landfill-Biodegradable (which is our choice)
- Compostable (home and commercial)
- Oxo-Degradable (often just called ‘degradable’)
The Logical Solution
Landfill-biodegradable plastic products:
- Are affordable and a practical solution.
- Can be either reusable or recyclable.
- Biodegrades 90+% faster than conventional plastics, biodegrading under typical landfill environmental conditions much faster than traditional plastics which take hundreds of years to biodegrade.
- The methane produced from accelerated landfill-biodegradable plastics can be captured within the time frame the landfill is actively managed, rather than being released into the atmosphere over hundreds of years after the landfill has closed and stopped being managed. This captured methane can be used for fuel and energy production.
- Biodegradation of plastic is achieved by enabling microorganisms to metabolize (i.e. break down) the molecular structure of the plastic, which produces a humus-like material (organic matter) which is a natural plant fertiliser and a biogas.
- Do not fragment into microplastics.
Landfill-biodegradable technology.
Landfill-biodegradable products are made by combining traditional plastic with an organic additive. The biodegradation only begins when the plastic is exposed to a microbe-rich environment, such as a landfill. The additive attracts microbes to the plastic and they start to digest it. As they do this, the enzymes (the microbes secrete) break the carbon bonds in the plastic molecule allowing the microbes to digest them for their energy. As more enzymes are secreted, more atoms are removed from the plastic molecule (called depolymerisation) which the microbes can digest. As this process continues, the plastic molecule is broken down and digested away.
The biodegradability of plastic can be confirmed by comparing biodegradation results from an independent laboratory using either ASTM D5511, ASTM D5526 or Bio-Methane Potential (BMP) tests.
The diagram below illustrates the additive and the landfill-biodegradable process.
From Mueller, R.J., Biodegradability of polymers: Regulations and methods for testing, in Biopolymers, Steinbuchel, A., Ed., vol. 10., Wiley-VCH, Weinheim, Germany, 2003.)
FAQ
Landfill-biodegradable is a true biodegradable approach, where the plastic features an organic additive, which accelerates the rate at which plastics will biodegrade, by allowing naturally occurring bacteria to consume the plastic in a landfill environment, resulting in biogas and humus (natural fertiliser). It also does not fragment into microplastics. Only ‘degradable’ or ‘oxo-degradable’ plastics fragment, which is a concern as it leaves microplastics in the environment.
If it cannot be recycled then landfill-biodegradable plastics should be disposed to a general waste bin where it will go to a managed landfill.
Yes. Our landfill-biodegradable products can be reused and recycled with other mainstream soft plastics, and has REDcycle approval. Our additive does not impact the recycling process, and some local recyclers have been taking our soft plastic waste since 2018 and have not encountered any issues.
Landfill-biodegradable plastics are categorised by their resin identification code (1-7), just like standard plastic products.
Yes. However our method allows the methane produced from landfill-biodegradable plastics to be captured within the time-frame the landfill is actively managed, rather than being neglected and released into the atmosphere for hundreds of years after the landfill has closed and stopped being managed. The methane captured can be used for fuel and energy production displacing energy from coal combustion.
Landfill-biodegradable uses a proprietary organic additive added to conventional plastic material. This additive draws microbes to the plastic. In eating it, they secrete enzymes which break down the plastic molecule to the point where it too can be digested. The additive effect only comes into play when the plastic product is disposed of in a microbe-rich environment, such as a landfill. Depending on the plastic thickness it can take a few years or 10’s of years to completely biodegrade; making it suitable for landfill gas recovery and making the logical choice for everyday plastic.
FieldTech Solutions uses a proprietary organic additive, which is:
- An organic food source.
- Approved by USFDA for food contact.
- Mixed in a small ratio to not affect the parent plastic material properties.
Yes. Our biodegradable plastic is very safe. Food packaging film and water bottles made with the additive is USFDA compliant for food contact applications.
Yes. Landfill-biodegradable products are currently used in 25 countries across the world.
Currently, there is no regulating body for this technology in Australia and we are unable to provide any certificate as not one exists. Nevertheless, we can provide third-party lab test results that prove accelerated biodegradation under anaerobic conditions (ASTM 5511) and BMP (Biochemical-Methane Potential).
Yes. With so many manufacturers and retailers offering ‘green’ products, it has become confusing to distinguish between what is a genuine biodegradable product, what is a compostable product, what is a degradable product, and what are unsubstantiated claims. We have ASTM and BMP tests, which are recognised internationally as being the benchmark of verifications. The ASTM D5511 is a test performed by an independent laboratory that measures the carbon released from the plastic as a biogas to verify claims of biodegradability in anaerobic conditions, intending to replicate conditions found in a typical landfill.
The BMP (Biochemical-Methane Potential) lab test data is used internationally by governments, universities and commercial operators to determine the true biochemical methane potential and dynamic degradation profile of a material in anaerobic conditions. The test validates our landfill-biodegradable plastic can be digested by microorganisms within an environment with no/limited oxygen and limited light.
Yes, but not within the required timeframe for composting standards in Australia. It's best to be disposed of in the general waste bin (landfill).
No. There is no toxic residue when the biodegradable plastic decomposes. Plastics such as polyethylene break down to methane (CH4), carbon dioxide (C02), and organic matter (humus).
No. It has no shelf life or expiry dates and will only biodegrade when disposed of in a landfill.
No. Landfill-biodegradable plastics will biodegrade in a landfill and require no light or oxygen.
No. Landfill-biodegradable is a proprietary organic additive added to conventional plastic material. The additive only comes into play when the plastic product is disposed of in a microbe-rich environment, biodegrading into organic matter-producing natural fertiliser. Our landfill-biodegradable products do not feature any degradable additives and will not fragment to form microplastics.
We do not use or support degradable/fragmentable additives.
The biodegradation time of a product depends on a variety of factors. The landfill-biodegradable additives will make plastic biodegrade approximately 90+% faster than conventional plastics - keeping in mind many conventional plastics will take hundreds of years to biodegrade.
It all depends on the following variables:
- Landfill conditions are different across the country. Some are in cooler or warmer conditions. If the plastic is put into a dry landfill it will degrade slower than a more actively managed water moistened landfill.
- The difference in plastic thickness. Our landfill-biodegradable plastics vary in thickness. The thicker the plastic section, the longer it will take to biodegrade. Membrane films are expected to biodegrade quickly. Thicker sections may take several years.
No. The ban is not intended for landfill-biodegradable products. We support the ban on single-use conventional plastics. Home compostable and landfill-biodegradable plastic are the perfect substitutes for everyday plastics while being conscious of the environment.
Read more about our home compostable technology here.
No. The ban is not intended for landfill-biodegradable products. We support the 2025 National Plastic Ban to phase out some single-use plastic packaging products. This includes ‘degradable’ or ‘oxo-degradable’ products as they have the fragmentable additive, which does not meet relevant compostable standards (AS4736-2006, AS5810-2010 and EN13432). Home compostable and landfill-biodegradable plastic are the perfect substitutes for everyday plastics while being conscious of the environment.
Read more about our home compostable technology here.
No. They are very different processes. As its name infers biodegradation is a biological process, and is the breakdown of plastic material caused by naturally occurring microorganisms such as those occurring in a landfill. Degradable plastic is a plastic with a metallic additive that sets off a slow chemical reaction and over 12-24 months will cause the plastic to fragment into little pieces. This has nothing to do with biodegradation and microorganisms. Also, the reaction will only work in the presence of oxygen and sunlight. So if a degradable plastic is buried in a landfill where there is no sunlight and very little oxygen, it will stay there like a conventional plastic not degrading. Therefore for a degradable plastic to fragment down into little pieces it has to be up on top of the ground and there those little pieces will blow around and disperse into the environment. Our landfill-biodegradable products do not feature any degradable additives and do not fragment down to microplastics.
We do not use or support oxo-degradable / fragmentable additives.
Compare the plastic technologies
| Plastic Property | Landfill-Biodegradable | Home Compostable | Compostable | Oxo-Degradable |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Biodegradable in landfills? | Yes | Yes | No | No |
| Recyclable with other mainstream plastics? | Yes | No | No | No |
| Special storage conditions required? | No | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| Shelf life / has expiration dates? | No | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| Will degrade over a few months when exposed to sunlight | No | Marginally | Marginally | Yes |
| Fragments into small pieces in ambient air | No | No | No | Yes |
| Biodegradation begins at time of disposal; not before | Yes | Yes | Yes, in Commercial compost facility only |
No |
| Will biodegrade in commercial and home composts | No | Yes | No, Commercial compost facility only |
No |
| Needs oxygen in order to biodegrade | No | No | Yes | Yes |
“I believe FieldTech Solutions’ initiative will make a big difference in the industry. The irony of contributing to the pollution problem with single-use disposable sampling equipment in order to clean up the planet has bothered me for many years. The availability of these biodegradable products is a big step towards reducing the problem.”
“Just wanted to let you know the materials have arrived on site already and have been perfect to collect the tricky samples. Thanks again for brainstorming the best options and going out of your way to finding a small courier service, really appreciate it.”
