Publication detail

Degradation behavior and environmental impacts of a hemp-containing ""eco-friendly"" compostable plastic in natural environments

Year: 2025

Type of publication: článek v odborném periodiku

Name of source: Waste Management

Publisher name: Elsevier

Place: Kidlington

Page from-to: 115045

Titles:

Language	Name	Abstract	Keywords
cze	Degradační chování a dopady na životní prostředí u „ekologicky šetrného“ kompostovatelného plastu obsahujícího konopí v přírodním prostředí	Byl proveden experiment s cílem posoudit degradační chování a dopady na životní prostředí polymerního materiálu obsahujícího konopná vlákna označeného jako „kompostovatelný plast“. Hlavní otázkou bylo: Co se stane, pokud se výrobky vyrobené z tohoto materiálu uvolní do přírody? Abychom našli odpověď, byly malé kousky tohoto kompozitního materiálu vystaveny písčito-jílovité půdě a říční vodě po dobu 2, 4, 8, 13, 18, 23, 28 a 33 týdnů. Po vyjmutí byly vzorky důkladně analyzovány pomocí optické a elektronové mikroskopie, termogravimetrie, diferenční termické analýzy, rentgenové difraktometrie a infračervené spektroskopie s Fourierovou transformací. Bylo zjištěno, že materiál je v obou testovaných přírodních prostředích poměrně stabilní. Zůstal kompaktní i po 33 týdnech, téměř bez ztráty hmotnosti.	degradace; plast; polypropylen; kompostovatelný plast; konopí
eng	Degradation behavior and environmental impacts of a hemp-containing ""eco-friendly"" compostable plastic in natural environments	A field experiment was carried out to assess the degradation behavior and environmental impacts of hemp fiber-containing polymeric material labeled as ""compostable plastic"". The main question was: What happens if products made from this material are released into nature? To find the answer, small pieces of this composite material were exposed to sandy clay soil and river water for 2, 4, 8, 13, 18, 23, 28, and 33 weeks. After taking out, the samples were thoroughly analyzed using light and electron microscopy, thermogravimetry, differential thermal analysis, X-ray diffractometry, and Fourier-transform infrared spectroscopy. It was found that the material is fairly stable in both tested natural environments. It remained compact even after 33 weeks, almost without weight loss. Only about 10-15 % of its bioorganic content was decomposed during the long-term degradation. If products made from this material are left in the natural environment, they will cause longterm pollution, including the formation of microplastics. This ""compostable"" plastic also can not be composted because one of its components is degradation-resistant polypropylene. Thus, despite the manufacturer's declarations, the material is not a good choice for eco-friendly production. The results show that it is not always appropriate to dispose of materials labeled as ""compostable plastics"" or similar by putting them into a compost bin or just leaving them in nature. Our findings also highlight the need for an objective assessment of the environmental impacts of so-called ""eco-friendly"", ""green"", or ""sustainable"" products rather than their reckless promotion and consumption.	Degradation; Plastic; Hemp; Polypropylene; Greenwashing; Compostable plastic

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