Number:
TEST REPORT
For and on behalf of
Amy K.W. Wong
*TJ05427287*
Page 1 Of 9
Applicant:
Date: Dec 04, 2023
Sample Description As Declared :
No. Of Sample
Sample Description
: One
: White
Ref.
Weight: 22,66gr, Per Tube
D 00800_ nul l _ nul l _N _2 021 0426
Original Sample Photo:
Figure 1: Test Sample
For any sustainability support or queries on this report, you are welcome to contact our Assistant Director:
Brenda Wong - Mobile phone and Whatsapp at (852) 9726 1720 or via email brenda.ps.wong@intertek.com
Number:
HKGT05427287
TEST REPORT
Tests Conducted (As Requested By The Applicant)
Page 2 Of 9
1
Standard Test Method For Determining Anaerobic Biodegradation Of Plastic Materials Under High-Solids
Anaerobic-Digestion Conditions (ASTM D5511-18):
PROJECT DESCRIPTION
:
WHITE BIODEGRADABLE TUBE Sample were submitted for testing under standard ASTM D5511. This test
method covers the determination of the degree and rate of anaerobic biodegradation of plastic materials in
anaerobic digesters operating only on pretreated household waste. The anaerobic decomposition takes place
under high-solids (more than 30 % total solids) and static non-mixed conditions. This test method is designed
found in high-solids anaerobic digesters, treating municipal solid waste.
INOCULUM COLLECTION AND CONDITIONING
The anaerobic digested sewage sludge (Figure 2) mixed with household waste. To make the sludge adapted
and stabilized during a short post-fermentation at 53°C, the sludge was pre-incubated (one week) at 53°C.
added organics allowing large easily biodegradable particles were degraded during this period and reduce the
background level of biogas from the inoculums itself.
Figure 2: Anaerobic microbial inoculum
INOCULUM PROPERTIES
A sample of the anaerobic digested sewage sludge was analyzed for pH, percent dry solids, and volatile solids,
as well as, the amount of CO2 and CH4 evolution during the testing. Table 1 lists the results of this initial
testing.
Number:
HKGT05427287
TEST REPORT
Tests Conducted (As Requested By The Applicant)
Page 3 Of 9
METHODOLOGY:
Inoculum Medium: Remove enough inoculum (approximately 15 kg) from the post-fermentation vessel and mix
carefully and consistently by hand in order to obtain a homogeneous medium. Test three replicates each of a
blank (inoculum only), Positive control (Reference material) (thin-layer chromatography cellulose), negative
control (optional), and the test substance being evaluated.
3 min with 15 to 100 g of volatile solids of the test substance or the controls for each replicate. For the three
blanks containing inoculum only, manually mix 1000 g of the same inoculum in a small container for a period of
2 to 3 min with the same intensity as was done for the other vessels containing test substance or controls.
Add the mixtures to a 2-L wide-mouth Erlenmeyer flask and gently spread and compact the material evenly in
the flask to a uniform density.
Erlenmeyer flasks in the dark or in diffused light at 52°C (± 2°C) for thermophilic conditions, The incubation
time shall be run until no net gas production is noted for at least five days from both the Positive control
(Reference material) and test substance reactors. Control the pH of the water used to measure biogas
ANAEROBIC DIGESTER SETUP FOR THE PLASTIC BIODEGRADATION
The biodegradation testing of sample was performed in the digester as shown in the (Figure-3).
Figure-3: Digester setup
Number:
HKGT05427287
TEST REPORT
Tests Conducted (As Requested By The Applicant)
Page 4 Of 9
RESULT:
The most important biochemical characteristics of the inoculum such as pH, Volatile Fatty Acids,
Table 1: Results of Initial testing of the anaerobic digested sewage sludge
Parameters Requirement
Actual
results
pH
7.5 to 8.5
7.68
Kjeldahl nitrogen
0.5 to 2 g/kg wet weight
1.47
Dry Solids at 105 ˚C
>20%
44.00
Volatile Solids at 550 ˚ C
Below 1 g/kg wet weight
0.75
The biogas volume in the gas sampling bag was measured (Table- 2). Presence of gas in the gas collector of
Positive control (Reference material) indicated that the inoculum was viable and gas displacement was
ASTM D 5511 states that for the test to be considered valid, the Positive control (Reference material) must
achieve 70 % within 30 days with deviation less than 20% of the mean between the replicates.
between the replicates.
Number:
HKGT05427287
TEST REPORT
Tests Conducted (As Requested By The Applicant)
Page 5 Of 9
Table-2a: Biogas volume of the evolved gas during the biodegradation process at 45 days
Biodegradation
Test
Total Volume
45 days (mL)
Inoculum
2920
Positive control (Reference material)
9610
WHITE BIODEGRADABLE TUBE
5200
Number:
HKGT05427287
TEST REPORT
Tests Conducted (As Requested By The Applicant)
Page 6 Of 9
Colonization of bacteria at some places were observed under the microscope (Fig-4). This shows the process
of biodegradation has begun.
(A)
(B)
(C)
(D)
Number:
HKGT05427287
TEST REPORT
Tests Conducted (As Requested By The Applicant)
Page 7 Of 9
Figure 4: Microscopic image of Test samples Before and After 45 days Incubation Condition
A & B – Unexposed Test WHITE BIODEGRADABLE TUBE Sample to anaerobic biodegradation process
C & D – Exposed Test WHITE BIODEGRADABLE TUBE Sample to anaerobic biodegradation process
The percent biodegradation of Positive control (Reference material) and Test sample was calculated by the
measured cumulative carbon dioxide and methane production from each flask after subtracting carbon dioxide
evolution and methane evolution from the blank samples at the end of 45 days of testing. Calculations were
Table-3: Percentage biodegradability of Test sample with respect to Positive control (Reference material)
Cellulose.
Group
Inoculum control
Positive control
(Reference material)
WHITE
BIODEGRADABLE TUBE
Weight
1000 ml
10.1785 g
15.8240 g
Total volume (ml)
2920.00
9610.00
5200.00
% CH4
12.90
40.90
21.70
Volume of CH4 (ml)
376.68
3930.49
1128.40
weight of CH4 (g)
0.2695
2.8119
0.8073
% CO2
15.20
43.60
23.10
Volume of CO2 (ml)
443.84
4189.96
1201.20
Weight of CO2 (g)
0.8788
8.2961
2.3784
Total weight of
carbon in grams
0.4394
4.3489
1.2476
Theoretical weight of
carbon in grams (Ci)
-
4.2821
13.1323
Biodegradation
-
0.9130
0.0615
% Biodegradation
-
91.30
6.15
Number:
HKGT05427287
TEST REPORT
Tests Conducted (As Requested By The Applicant)
Page 8 Of 9
Table 4: Percent weight loss of WHITE BIODEGRADABLE TUBE sample.
Average Initial Weight (grams)
15.8240
Average Final Weight (grams)
15.6463
Percent Weight Loss (%)
1.12
The Percent weight loss was calculated based on the initial weight and final weight of the test sample after the
Biodegradation of the samples determined based on conversion of carbon from the test material to carbon in
the gaseous phase (CH4 and CO2) can be observed in graph 1 and graph 2a & 2b.
Graph-1: Plot showing Net Biogas Production from Test sample (WHITE BIODEGRADABLE TUBE) and
Positive control (Reference material- Cellulose)
Number:
HKGT05427287
TEST REPORT
Tests Conducted (As Requested By The Applicant)
Page 9 Of 9
Graph-2a: The percent biodegradation of the Positive control (Reference material- Cellulose) determined based on
conversion of carbon from cellulose to carbon in the gaseous phase (CH4 and CO2)
Graph-2b: The percent biodegradation of the Test sample (WHITE BIODEGRADABLE TUBE Sample) determined
based on conversion of carbon from the Test material to carbon in the gaseous phase (CH4 and CO2)
CONCLUSION:
Considering the cumulative gas production as observed in Table 2 & 3 and its analysis indicates that the process of
biodegradation has occurred in WHITE BIODEGRADABLE TUBE Sample. After 45 days of incubation, the level of
biodegradation for the Positive control (Reference material) was 91.30 % while the WHITE BIODEGRADABLE TUBE Sample showed 6.15 %
Remark : The test was performed by an approved subcontractor laboratory which is part of the Intertek Group.
End of Report
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