Biodegradable means that plastic under appropriate conditions, due to the action of natural microorganisms, allows the polymer chain to be broken down into naturally occurring substances. Biodegradable plastic means that it decomposes completely to carbon dioxide, methane, water, biomass and inorganic compounds under the action of living organisms under aerobic or anaerobic conditions. Directive 94/62/EC states that the product must decompose 90% within 6 months to be considered biodegradable.
To be considered compostable, plastics must disintegrate in less than 3 months and no longer be visible in a controlled environment.
