ASTM D6002-96 - 10.8.1996
 
Significance and Use

Plastics that are designed to degrade after use have been developed. These materials are intended to enhance existing solid waste landfill diversion programs by allowing difficult to recycle materials to be collected and processed in alternative solid waste disposal systems. Composting has emerged as a viable approach to process these materials and the organic fraction of municipal solid waste (MSW). A comprehensive testing program is needed to establish the compostability (for example, fragmentation rate, biodegradation rate, and safety) of these materials.

This guide can be adapted to generate product-specific evidence for the substantiation of compostable claims to obtain classification as a compostable product.

Note 4—State and local regulations should also be considered.

 
1. Scope

1.1 This guide covers suggested criteria, procedures, and a general approach to establish the compostability of environmentally degradable plastics.

1.2 This standard does not purport to address all of the safety concerns, if any, associated with its use. It is the responsibility of the user of this standard to establish appropriate safety and health practices and determine the applicability of regulatory limitations prior to use.

Note 1—There is no similar or equivalent ISO standard.

 
2. Referenced Documents

D638-22

Standard Test Method for Tensile Properties of Plastics

D882-26

Standard Test Method for Tensile Properties of Thin Plastic Sheeting

D883-26a

Standard Terminology Relating to Plastics (Includes all amendments and changes 6/15/2026).

D3593-80(1986)

Test Method for Molecular Weight Averages and Molecular Weight Distribution of Certain Polymers by Liquid Size-Exclusion Chromatography (Gel Permeation Chromatography GPC) Using Universal Calibration (Withdrawn 1993)

D5152-91

Practice for Water Extraction of Residual Solids from Degraded Plastics for Toxicity Testing (Withdrawn 1998)

D5209-92

Standard Test Method for Determining the Aerobic Biodegradation of Plastic Materials in the Presence of Municipal Sewage Sludge (Withdrawn 2004)

D5247-92

Standard Test Method for Determining the Aerobic Biodegradability of Degradable Plastics by Specific Microorganisms (Withdrawn 2004)

D5338-15(2021)

Standard Test Method for Determining Aerobic Biodegradation of Plastic Materials Under Controlled Composting Conditions, Incorporating Thermophilic Temperatures

D5509-96

Standard Practice for Exposing Plastics to a Simulated Compost Environment (Withdrawn 2002)

D5512-96

Standard Practice for Exposing Plastics to a Simulated Compost Environment Using an Externally Heated Reactor (Withdrawn 2002)

D5951-96(2002)

Standard Practice for Preparing Residual Solids Obtained After Biodegradability Standard Methods for Plastics in Solid Waste for Toxicity and Compost Quality Testing (Withdrawn 2011)

D5988-18(2025)

Standard Test Method for Determining Aerobic Biodegradation of Plastic Materials in Soil

E1440-23

Standard Guide for Acute Toxicity Test with the Rotifer Brachionus

E1720-01

Standard Test Method for Determining Ready, Ultimate, Biodegradability of Organic Chemicals in a Sealed Vessel CO2 Production Test

G22-23

Standard Practice for Determining Resistance of Plastics to Bacteria

Guidelines for the Evaluation of Feedstock for Source Separated Biowaste Composting and Biogasification

OECD Guideline 208

Terrestrial Plants, Growth Test