Study shows bioplastic processing via AD reduces environmental impact

In Belgium, the study “Anaerobic digestion of organic waste allows recovering energy and enhancing the subsequent bioplastic degradation in soil” illustrates that the processing of bioplastics through anaerobic digestion contributes to prevent bioplastics accumulation and reduce their leakage into the environment. According to the paper, the residual bioplastic remaining in the digestate, a co-product of biogas production used as organic fertiliser, does not accumulate in soils. The figures show that bioplastics degrade between 50% and 70% in the soil after 120 days, and are fully biodegradable within less than two years. This digestate can therefore be used as fertiliser in agricultural soils without ecological risks.

In addition, the degradation of bioplastics via anaerobic digestion also contributes to the energy recovery of waste by producing renewable energy for our households and industries.