With the implementation of mandatory garbage sorting in recent two years, biodegradable materials have gradually become a hot concept. 

What are biodegradable materials and in what fields are they used? How do you distinguish this material?

What are biodegradable materials and how to identify them?

The development of plastic bags in the green direction is closely related to people's concern about environmental protection. Since the 1970s, many countries have begun to develop green plastic bags. Since polyethylene and polypropylene are primarily polyolefins, they do not break down in a short time. Finally, scientists synthesized a series of polyester materials that can be decomposed by microorganisms, as well as some green materials extracted from renewable resources (such as straw, bagasse, corn starch, etc.), and made green plastic bags that can be truly biodegradable.

Biodegradable packaging bags must meet three conditions:

First, it must degrade completely to produce carbon dioxide and water.

Second, under the condition of industrial compost, it must be completely degraded within 180 days;

Third, no toxicity after degradation, no impact on the environment.

Biodegradable materials have been widely used to customize packaging bags, which can be treated in composting plants and become organic fertilizer after 30-45 days. Biodegradable grocery bags and kitchen waste bags have been used in Western countries since the 1990s.

Since the domestic use of biodegradable packaging bags is relatively short, many customers who need to customize packaging bags do not know how to identify biodegradable packaging bags. Because this kind of bag is not significantly different from ordinary plastic bags in appearance, the world has issued a series of standards :ISO14855, EN13432, ASTM-D6400. At present, there are three kinds of accredited signs in the world :OKCompost, Seedling and BPI. Therefore, if there are these certification marks, can be identified as biodegradable packaging.