Literature review on methods of evaluating biodegradation of bioplastics in a landfill

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Environmental pollution from plastic waste, despite recycling efforts, remains critical, with only 7% recycled and 85% ending in landfills. This leads to microplastics dispersal through air and leachate. Bioplastics, derived from renewable sources and potentially biodegradable, offer a solution but their degradation behavior in landfill is poorly understood. This study reviews landfill environments and bioplastic biodegradation mechanisms. In landfills, waste undergoes aerobic and anaerobic decomposition, generating leachate and greenhouse gases (GHG). Bioplastic biodegradation depends on polymer properties and environmental factors like temperature, moisture, and microbial activity. Studies using lysimeters and small-scale reactors simulate landfill conditions, assessing bioplastic degradation through weight loss and gas emissions. ASTM D5526 outlines procedures for measuring ultimate biodegradation, but challenges like waste heterogeneity and reactor handling persist. Future research should focus on lab-scale experiments, the impact of varying landfill conditions on bioplastics, and accurate GHG emission estimates to better understand bioplastic degradation in landfills.