How textile disintegration and biodegradability testing can aid sustainability efforts

Sustainability has become a pressing issue in today's world as we strive to minimise our environmental impact and the textile industry is one area where significant progress can be made.

Thanks to technological innovation, the textile industry can now rely less on traditional synthetic materials, which can result in heavy pollution and waste. The emergence of biodegradable and compostable textile materials also offers a sustainable alternative to the industry. In addition to textile materials, the waste generated from packaging is a significant concern.

However, the adoption of environmentally friendly packaging materials can help alleviate this issue.

In this article, we will explore how textile disintegration and biodegradability testing can aid sustainability efforts.

Making Environmental Marketing Claims

While making environmental marketing claims like 'biodegradable', 'compostable', 'degradable', or 'recyclable' to your products, it is crucial that brands, retailers and manufacturers fully understand the implications of these terms and comply with relevant regulations.

Governments around the world are implementing local policies to guide the use of these terms such as Green Guides and 16 CFR 260 in the USA, Environmental and Green Claims Guidance in the UK and Green Claims Directive in the EU.

To substantiate such claims, brands, retailers, and suppliers should thoroughly consider the end-of-life (EOL) phase of a product and conduct disintegration testing and biodegradability testing for their products.

Disintegration and Biodegradability Testing Standards

Here are some of the most globally recognised testing standards for disintegration and biodegradability testing:

Disintegration Testing

• ISO 20200 – Plastics. Determination of The Degree of Disintegration of Plastic Materials Under Composting Conditions in a Laboratory-scale Test
• ISO 16929 – Plastics. Determination of The Degree of Disintegration of Plastic Materials Under Defined Composting Conditions in a Pilot-scale Test

Biodegradability Testing

• ISO 20136 – Leather. Determination of Degradability by Micro-organisms
• ISO 14855-1 - Determination of The Ultimate Aerobic Biodegradability of Plastic Materials Under Controlled Composting Conditions
• ASTM D5338 - Standard Test Method for Determining Aerobic Biodegradation of Plastic Materials Under Controlled Composting Conditions, Incorporating Thermophilic Temperatures

Compostability Standards

It is worth noting that some standards are compostability standards that encompass both biodegradability and disintegration testing, along with additional testing requirements. They are not specific testing methods, but instead outline which tests could be used to comply with that specific standard.

Compostability standards specify testing options that can be used within these standards for compostability requirements. Some of these include:

• EN 13432 - Certified Bioplastics. Performance in Industrial Composting
• EN 14995 - Plastics - Evaluation of Compostability - Test Scheme and Specifications
• ASTM D6400 - Standard Specification for Labeling of Plastics Designed to be Aerobically Composted in Municipal or Industrial Facilities

How can textile disintegration and biodegradability testing aid sustainability efforts?

Assessing environmental impact

Disintegration and biodegradability testing help evaluate the environmental impact of textile materials throughout their lifecycle by determining how quickly and completely they break down into harmless substances when exposed to natural environmental conditions. It provides information to brands and manufacturers to assess the environmental impact of the materials used.

Facilitating proper waste management

Understanding how textiles disintegration and biodegrade is crucial for proper waste management. Textiles that are not easily degradable can have a significant impact on landfills. Through disintegration and biodegradability testing, brands and manufacturers can identify which materials break down more efficiently, enabling the development of textile products that can be disposed of in an eco-friendlier manner.

Promoting circular economy

Textile disintegration and biodegradability testing support the transition towards a circular economy. Understanding how textiles break down and degrade allows brands and manufacturers to become possible to design products that can easily undergo recycling or composting processes.

How the Eurofins Softlines & Leather network of laboratories can help?

The Eurofins Softlines & Leather network of laboratories offers a wide range of globally recognized disintegration and biodegradability testing standards for your textile products. With the support of our expertise, you can confidently make environmental marketing claims for your products and comply with local compliance requirements.

Learn more about our Disintegration and Biodegradability Testing.