Landfill-Biodegradable Plastic

When it comes to biodegradable plastics, the 2 main choices are:

  1. Landfill-biodegradable (our choice)
  2. Compostable (home or commercial)

How long it takes to biodegrade

Biogone understands

  • Single-use plastics are not going anywhere any time in the future
  • Approximately 85% of plastic waste in Australia that is disposed of ends up in landfills
  • We’re years off having a complete and functional circular economy, read why here  
  • Some consumers are time poor and often choose the most convenient option
  • All commercial compostable products need to be deposited in commercial composts (which is a waste stream that is not available in most local councils across the country), hence many ‘compostable’ items end up in a landfill
  • Commercial compostable plastics need very specific environments to biodegrade
  • Many people don’t have a home compost for them to dispose of their home compostable plastic items

Why landfill-biodegradable plastic is the logical choice

Landfill-biodegradable plastics:

  • Are affordable and a practical solution
  • Are convenient and designed for ‘time poor’ consumers (who are mindful of their impact on the environment)
  • Can be either reused, recycled, or if sent to landfill, they will biodegrade 90% faster than conventional plastics (conventional plastics can 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 (waste to energy)
  • 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 during biodegradation

Landfill-biodegradable technology – how does it work?

Landfill-biodegradable plastic is 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 additive and the landfill-biodegradable process

Watch the video

FAQs

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.
Some of our products are made with a percentage of post-industrial recycled plastic. This is different to post-consumer recycled plastic, such as when soft plastics go to 'REDcycle' or other soft plastics recyclers. Post industrial usually means recycling from otherwise wastage or by-products within the manufacturing facility or factory itself. Unfortunately post-consumer recycled plastic is not readily available for most manufacturers.
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 Biogone the logical choice for everyday plastic.
Biogone 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.
As per European Bioplastics guidelines, Biodegradability claims must be transparent and verifiable and supported by standards that define the scope, i.e. the reference framework, the testing methodologies and criteria to be used, as well as the relevant environment (1. The sole term biodegradable shall not be used as a claim on any consumer packaging, 2. All consumer claims shall be made with reference to relevant certification or test reports). As per the European Bioplastics guidelines we 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.
The main point is whether it takes a few months or multiple years doesn’t really matter. What does matter is that after some limited time, the product will completely biodegrade into biogas and a natural fertiliser - we are no longer leaving our plastic waste for future generations to deal with, and the biogas can be captured and utilised by the landfill within the timeframe that it is actively managed.
Single-use plastic drinking straws, cutlery, plates, drink stirrers and cotton bud sticks made from conventional, degradable and compostable materials, are proposed to be banned. This will include landfill-biodegradable plastic versions of these items, however Biogone does not make any of these items, therefore the ban won't affect our product range. We support the ban on single-use conventional plastics, however, home compostable and landfill-biodegradable plastic are still a more responsible choice for everyday other plastic items while being conscious of the environment. Read more about our home compostable technology here.
No. The targets will not affect Biogone's landfill-biodegradable products. All of Biogone's landfill-biodegradable products are mainstream recyclable (soft plastic recycling such as REDcycle), with the added benefit of being able to biodegrade away in landfill. We support the 2025 National Plastic Targets in phasing out various single-use plastic packaging products, including those made with ‘degradable’ or ‘oxo-degradable’ products, as they have the fragmentable additive which leads to the formation of microplastics. Biogone's home compostable (AS5810 certified) and landfill-biodegradable plastic products are a more responsible, environmentally conscious substitute for everyday plastics. 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

Compare the plastic technologies

New Suggested Comparison Table Plastic Properties