Determining biodegradability of plastic materials under controlled and natural composting environments

With the advent of recently promulgated Government regulations on plastics in Mauritius, a study was initiated to examine the biodegradability of two different types of plastic, namely Willow Ridge Plastics - PDQ-H additive (Plastic A) and Ecosafe Plastic - TDPA additive (Plastic B) under controlled and natural composting environments. The results obtained from the controlled composting environment showed that the cumulative carbon dioxide evolution for Plastic A was much higher than that for Plastic B. Plastic A therefore showed a higher level of biodegradation in terms of CO2 evolution than Plastic B. However, from the regression analysis, it was found that the level of CO2 varying with time fitted the sigmoid type curves with very high correlation coefficients (R2 values: 0.9928, 0.9921 and 0.9816, for reference material, inoculum and Plastic A, respectively). The corresponding F-values obtained from the ANOVA analysis together with significance levels of p<0.05 indicated that the three treatments analysed in the biodegradability experiment were significant. The other experiment was undertaken to observe any physical change of Plastics A and B as compared to a reference plastic, namely, compostable plastic bag (Mater-Bi product-Plastic C), when exposed to a natural composting environment. Thermophilic temperatures were obtained for about 3-5 days of composting and the moisture content was in the range of 60-80% throughout the degradation process. It was observed that after 55 days of composting, Plastic C degraded completely while Plastic A and Plastic B did not undergo any significant degradation. It can be concluded that naturally based plastic made of starch would degrade completely in a time frame of 60 days, whereas plastics with biodegradable additive would require a longer time.     

Review and meta-analysis of 82 studies on end-of-life management methods for source separated organics

This article reports on a literature review and meta-analysis of 82 studies, mostly life cycle assessments (LCAs), which quantified end-of-life (EOL) management options for organic waste. These studies were reviewed to determine the environmental preferability, or lack thereof, for a number of EOL management methods such as aerobic composting (AC), anaerobic digestion (AD), gasification, combustion, incineration with energy recovery (often denoted as waste-to-energy incineration), mechanical biological treatment, incineration without energy recovery (sometimes referenced by just the word “incineration”), and landfill disposal with and without energy recovery from generated methane. Given the vast differences in boundaries as well as uncertainty and variability in results, the LCAs among the 82 studies provided enough data and results to make conclusions regarding just four EOL management methods – aerobic composting, anaerobic digestion, mass burn waste-to-energy (WTE), and landfill gas-to-energy (LFGTE). For these four, the LCAs proved sufficient to determine that aerobic composting and anaerobic digestion are both environmentally preferable to either WTE or LFGTE in terms of climate change impacts.For climate change, LCA results were mixed for WTE versus LFGTE. Furthermore, there is a lack of empirically reliable estimates of the amount of organics input to AD that is converted to energy output versus remaining in the digestate. This digestate can be processed through aerobic composting into a compost product similar to the compost output from aerobic composting, assuming that the same type of organic materials are managed under AD as are managed via AC. The magnitude of any trade-off between generation of energy and production of compost in an AD system appears to be critical for ranking AC and AD for differing types of organics diversion streams. These results emphasize how little we generally know, and exemplify the fact that in the reviewed literature no single EOL management method consistently topped all other management options across all environmental impacts, and that future studies must strive to match existing analytical boundaries and alternatives assessed to increase knowledge if as a community we expect to be able to make even more generalized conclusions.     

Perpetual landfilling through aeration of the waste mass; lessons from test cells in Georgia (USA).

Municipal solid waste (MSW) landfills worldwide are experiencing the consequences of conventional landfilling techniques, whereby anaerobic conditions are created within the landfilled waste. Under anaerobic conditions within a landfill site slow stabilization of the waste mass occurs, producing methane, (an explosive 'green house' gas) and leachate (which can pollute groundwater) over long periods of time. As a potential solution, it was demonstrated that the aerobic degradation of MSW within a landfill can significantly increase the rate of waste decomposition and settlement, decrease the methane production and leachate leaving the system, and potentially increase the operational life of the site. Readily integrated into the existing landfill infrastructure, this approach can safely and cost-effectively convert a MSW landfill from anaerobic to aerobic degradation processes, thereby effectively composting much of the organic portions (one of the potentially polluting elements in a conventional landfill site) of the waste. This paper summarizes the successful results of two separate aerobic landfill projects located in Georgia (USA) and discusses the potential economic and environmental impacts to worldwide solid waste management practices.     

Effect of the composting substrate on biodegradation of solid materials under controlled composting conditions

Biodegradability under composting conditions is assessed by test methods, such as ASTM D 5338-92, based on the measurement of CO₂ released by test materials when mixed with mature compost and maintained in a controlled composting environment. However, in real composting, biodegradation occurs in fresh waste. To clarify this point, the biodegradation of paper and of a starch-based biodegradable thermoplastic material, Mater-Bi ZI01U, was followed by measuring the weight loss of samples introduced either into a mature compost or into a synthetic waste. The weight loss in mature compost was higher at the beginning but tended to decrease; in synthetic waste a first lag phase was followed by an exponential phase. Complete degradation of paper was noticed simultaneously in the two substrates (after 25 days). The bulkier Mater-Bi samples were fully degraded after 20 days in fresh waste, but after 45 days in mature compost. Therefore, the test methods using mature compost as a substrate can possibly underestimate the biodegradation rate occurring in fresh waste, i.e., in real composting plants, and have to be considered as conservative test methods. The test procedure described in this paper seems very suitable as a screening method to verify the compostability of plastic materials in a composting environment.     

Biodegradability and biodegradation rate of poly(caprolactone)-starch blend and poly(butylene succinate) biodegradable polymer under aerobic and anaerobic environment

The biodegradability and the biodegradation rate of two kinds biodegradable polymers; poly(caprolactone) (PCL)-starch blend and poly(butylene succinate) (PBS), were investigated under both aerobic and anaerobic conditions. PCL-starch blend was easily degraded, with 88% biodegradability in 44 days under aerobic conditions, and showed a biodegradation rate of 0.07 day⁻¹, whereas the biodegradability of PBS was only 31% in 80 days under the same conditions, with a biodegradation rate of 0.01 day⁻¹. Anaerobic bacteria degraded well PCL-starch blend (i.e., 83% biodegradability for 139 days); however, its biodegradation rate was relatively slow (6.1 mL CH₄/g-VS day) compared to that of cellulose (13.5 mL CH₄/g-VS day), which was used as a reference material. The PBS was barely degraded under anaerobic conditions, with only 2% biodegradability in 100 days. These results were consistent with the visual changes and FE-SEM images of the two biodegradable polymers after the landfill burial test, showing that only PCL-starch blend had various sized pinholes on the surface due to attack by microorganisms. This result may be use in deciding suitable final disposal approaches of different types of biodegradable polymers in the future.     

Biodegradation Behaviors of Poly(p-dioxanone) in Different Environment Media

This work was aimed at researching the aerobic biodegradation of poly(p-dioxanone) (PPDO), a novel kind of degradable polymer material, by simulating real-life conditions in a laboratory-scale test, specified by the standard methods based on two biodegradation environments, composting and aqueous media. To measure and describe the biodegradability of PPDO, not only had carbon dioxide produced by respiratory metabolism of microorganism been measured, which determines the ultimate aerobic biodegradability of chemical compounds, but also the detailed results of biodegradation were further characterized by monitoring physical, chemical and thermal properties changes of test materials at different incubation times in the two media, confirmed by using the appropriate analytical techniques. Scanning electron microscopy was used to observe the surface morphology, and the thermal performance of PPDO was characterized by differential scanning calorimetry. The changes of molecular weight were detected by intrinsic viscosity ([η]) and gel permeation chromatography, and the variations of the molecular structure were monitored by the nuclear magnetic resonance and FT-IR. The results show that PPDO has outstanding character of biodegradation and may be more adapted for biodegrading in liquid medium than in composting.     

Methane production potential of leachate generated from Korean food waste recycling facilities: a lab-scale study

This paper examines the applicability of food waste leachate (FWL) in bioreactor landfills or anaerobic digesters to produce methane as a sustainable solution to the persisting leachate management problem in Korea. Taking into account the climatic conditions in Korea and FWL characteristics, the effect of key parameters, viz., temperature, alkalinity and salinity on methane yield was investigated. The monthly average moisture content and the ratio of volatile solids to total solids of the FWL were found to be 84% and 91%, respectively. The biochemical methane potential experiment under standard digestion conditions showed the methane yield of FWL to be 358 and 478 ml/g VS after 10 and 28 days of digestion, respectively, with an average methane content of 70%. Elemental analysis showed the chemical composition of FWL to be C(13.02)H(23.01)O(5.93)N(1). The highest methane yield of 403 ml/g VS was obtained at 35 degrees C due to the adaptation of seed microorganisms to mesophilic atmosphere, while methane yields at 25, 45 and 55 degrees C were 370, 351 and 275 ml/g VS, respectively, at the end of 20 days. Addition of alkalinity had a favorable effect on the methane yield. Dilution of FWL with salinity of 2g/l NaCl resulted in 561 ml CH(4)/g VS at the end of 30 days. Considering its high biodegradability (82.6%) and methane production potential, anaerobic digestion of FWL in bioreactor landfills or anaerobic digesters with a preferred control of alkalinity and salinity can be considered as a sustainable solution to the present emergent problem.     

Investigating the performance of aerobic,semi-aerobic,and anaerobic bioreactor landfills for MSW management in developing countries

Three different laboratory bioreactors, each duplicated, with dimensions 0.5 × 0.5 × 1 m were set up and monitored for 160 days. Municipal Solid Wastes with an organic content of ~80 % and a density of 550 kg/m³ were placed in bioreactors. Fresh leachate collected from waste collection vehicles was used with a recirculation rate of 28 L/day. Aerobic bioreactors were aerated at a rate of 0.15–0.24 L/min/kg of waste. Almost the same level of treatment was observed in terms of chemical oxygen demand reduction of leachate, which was in the range of 91–93 %. However, for anaerobic bioreactor, it took almost twice the time, 160 vs. 76 days, to reach the same level of treatment and stabilization. The behavior of semi-aerobic bioreactor was somewhere between the aerobic and anaerobic ones. Total biogas production for anaerobic bioreactors was 90 L/kg of waste, which contained 57–63 % methane. Methane concentration measured in semi-aerobic bioreactor was below 5 %. The main advantage of aerobic bioreactor was the fast rate of the process, while for semi-aerobic bioreactor, it was the elimination of the need for energy to maintain aerobic conditions, and for anaerobic bioreactor it was the production of biogas and potential energy recovery.     

A complete mass balance of a complex combined anaerobic/aerobic municipal source-separated waste treatment plant

In this study a combined anaerobic/aerobic full-scale treatment plant designed for the treatment of the source-separated organic fraction of municipal solid waste (OFMSW) was monitored over a period of one year. During this period, full information was collected about the waste input material, the biogas production, the main rejects and the compost characteristics. The plant includes mechanical pre-treatment, dry thermophilic anaerobic digestion, tunnel composting system and a curing phase to produce compost. To perform the monitoring of the entire plant and the individual steps, traditional chemical methods were used but they present important limitations in determining the critical points and the efficiency of the stabilization of the organic matter. Respiration indices (dynamic and cumulative) allowed for the quantitative calculation of the efficiency of each treatment unit. The mass balance was calculated and expressed in terms of Mgy(-1) of wet (total) matter, carbon, nitrogen and phosphorus. Results show that during the pre-treatment step about 32% of the initial wet matter is rejected without any treatment. This also reduces the biodegradability of the organic matter that continues to the treatment process. About 50% of the initial nitrogen and 86.4% of the initial phosphorus are found in the final compost. The final compost also achieves a high level of stabilization with a dynamic respiration index of 0.3±0.1g O(2) per kg of total solids per hour, which implies a reduction of 93% from that of the raw OFMSW, without considering the losses of biodegradable organic matter in the refuse (32% of the total input). The anaerobic digestion process is the main contributor to this stabilization.     

An overview of methods for biodegradability testing of biopolymers and packaging materials

This paper gives an overview of the methods used at the Technical Research Centre of Finland (VTT) for the biodegradability testing of solid polymers and packaging materials. Biodegradability of each polymer included in the packaging material should be separately tested. Aquatic aerobic and anaerobic tests and, in specific cases, enzymatic tests are used for screening purposes. The application of aquatic aerobic tests—an automated Sturm test (OECD 301B; ASTM D5209) and a VTT headspace test as well as an anaerobic test (ASTM D5210)—is discussed. Three composting tests and their applications are summarized. These tests are regarded as important because they can be used to simulate the biodegradability under real-life conditions. Several tests are needed to determine the fate of the polymer under real conditions and to study its biodegradability in different environments. The time needed for complete biodegradation of polymers in nature is impossible to predict with laboratory tests and should be studiedin vivo.According to the lecture given in Sweden at the Royal Institute of Technology, at a workshop on polymers from renewable resources and their degradation, November 10–11, 1994.     

Performance evaluation of an anaerobic/aerobic landfill-based digester using yard waste for energy and compost production

The objective of this study was to evaluate a new alternative for yard waste management by constructing, operating and monitoring a landfill-based two-stage batch digester (anaerobic/aerobic) with the recovery of energy and compost. The system was initially operated under anaerobic conditions for 366 days, after which the yard waste was aerated for an additional 191 days. Off gas generated from the aerobic stage was treated by biofilters. Net energy recovery was 84.3MWh, or 46kWh per million metric tons of wet waste (as received), and the biochemical methane potential of the treated waste decreased by 83% during the two-stage operation. The average removal efficiencies of volatile organic compounds and non-methane organic compounds in the biofilters were 96-99% and 68-99%, respectively.     

Anaerobic Biodegradation of Poly (Lactic Acid) Film in Anaerobic Sludge

The anaerobic biodegradation rates of four different sizes of poly (lactic acid) (PLA) films (thickness 25???m) in anaerobic sludge at 55?°C were examined. The anaerobic biodegradation rates of small pieces of PLA film were slower than for large pieces of PLA film. We also examined whether PLA film could also be used as a reference material in the anaerobic biodegradation test in addition to PLA powder. The anaerobic biodegradation rate of PLA film became slower with lower activity sludge, but the rate of decrease was gradual, and the anaerobic biodegradation rate of PLA film was faster than the PLA powder (125?C250???m). The anaerobic biodegradation rate of the PLA powder (125?C250???m) reflected the plastic anaerobic biodegradation activity of the sludge more accurately than the thin PLA film (thickness 25???m). Consequently, PLA powder (125?C250???m) is more suitable than thin PLA film (thickness?<?25???m) for use as a reference material to assess the plastic anaerobic biodegradation activity of the sludge in an anaerobic biodegradation test at 55?°C.     

Composting anaerobic and aerobic sewage sludges using two proportions of sawdust

Sawdust has been proven to be a good bulking agent for sludge composting; however, studies on the most suitable ratio of sludge:sawdust for sludge composting and on the influence of the sludge nature (aerobic or anaerobic) on the composting reaction rate are scarce. In this study two different sewage sludges (aerobic, AS, and anaerobic, ANS) were composted with wood sawdust (WS) as bulking agent at two different ratios (1:1 and 1:3 sludge:sawdust, v:v). Aerobic sludge piles showed significantly higher microbial activity than those of anaerobic sludge, organic matter mineralization rates being higher in the AS mixtures. The lowest thermophilic temperatures during composting were registered when the anaerobic sludge was mixed with sawdust at 1:1 ratio, suggesting the presence of substances toxic to microorganisms. This mixture also showed the lowest decreases of ammonium during composting. All this matched with the inhibitory effect on the germination of Lepidium sativum seeds of this mixture at the first stages of composting, and with its low values of microbial basal respiration. However, the ANS+WS 1:3 compost developed in a suitable way; the higher proportion of bulking agent in this mixture appeared to have a diluting effect on these toxic compounds. Both the proportions assayed allowed composting to develop adequately in the case of the aerobic sludge mixture, yielding suitable composts for agricultural use. However, the ratio 1:1 seems more suitable because it is more economical than the 1:3 ratio and has a lower dilution effect on the nutritional components of the composts. In the case of the anaerobic sludge with its high electrical conductivity and ammonium content, and likely presence of other toxic and phytotoxic substances, the 1:3 ratio is to be recommended because of the dilution effect.     

Monitoring operational and leachate characteristics of an aerobic simulated landfill bioreactor

Long-term biodegradation of MSW in an aerobic landfill bioreactor was monitored as a function of time during 510 days of operation. Operational characteristics such as air importation, temperature and leachate recirculation were monitored. The oxygen utilization rates and biodegradation of organic matter rates showed that aerobic biodegradation was feasible and appropriate to proceed in aerobic landfill bioreactor. Leachate analyses showed that the aerobic bioreactor could remove above 90% of chemical oxygen demand (COD) and close to 100% of biochemical oxygen demand (BOD5) from leachate. Ammonium (NH4+), nitrate (NO3-) and sulphate (SO4(2-)) concentrations of leachate samples were regularly measured. Results suggest that nitrification and denitrification occurred simultaneously, and the increase in nitrate did not reach the levels predicted stoichiometrically, suggesting that other processes were occurring. Leachate recirculation reduced the concentrations of heavy metals because of the effect of the high pH of the leachate, causing heavy metals to be retained by processes such as sorption on MSW, carbonate precipitation, and hydroxide precipitation. Furthermore, the compost derived from the aerobic biodegradation of the organic matter of MSW may be considered as soil improvement in the agricultural plant production. Bio-essays indicated that the ecotoxicity of leachate from the aerobic bioreactor was not toxic at the end of the experiment. Finally, after 510 days of degradation, waste settlement reached 26% mainly due to the compost of the organic matter.     

Biodegradation and Ecotoxicity of Polyethylene Films Containing Pro-Oxidant Additive

The worldwide accumulation of non-degradable plastic materials, such as plastic bags, is one of the most important environmental concerns nowadays. The use of degradable materials is an option to mitigate the environmental impact generated by the consumption of plastics. One of the technologies used for the manufacture and use of degradable plastics is the use of pro-degradant additives that are incorporated in conventional plastics to promote their degradation under certain conditions. The aim of this study is to evaluate the process of oxidation, biodegradation and potential ecotoxicity of polyethylene films containing an oxo-degradable additive, according to the standard ASTM D-6954. This method establishes a procedure in which the samples are subjected to consecutive steps of accelerated oxidation, biodegradation by composting and ecotoxicity assessment. Furthermore, the effect of the presence of printing ink in the polyethylene samples with oxo-degradable additive was evaluated, and the results were compared with those obtained for samples of conventional polyethylene and polylactic acid. After 180 days of laboratory controlled composting, the samples reached the following percentages of biodegradation: polylactic acid, 41 %; printed oxo-degradable polyethylene, 32.24 %; oxo-degradable polyethylene, 25.84 %; printed polyethylene, 18.23 % and polyethylene, 13.48 %. The cellulose sample used as a control was mineralized in 58.45 %. Ecotoxicity assessment showed that the products of biodegradation of the samples tested, did not generate a negative effect on germination or development of the vegetal species studied. Under proper waste management conditions, these plastics can be used as an option to decrease the environmental impact of plastic films.     

METHANE POTENTIAL OF FOOD WASTE AND ANAEROBIC TOXICITY OF LEACHATE PRODUCED DURING FOOD WASTE DECOMPOSITION

The objective of this study was to characterize the anaerobic biodegradation of food waste, including its methane potential and the anaerobic toxicity of leachate associated with food waste decomposition. Biodegradation experiments were conducted in 2.2-litre reactors and were seeded with well-decomposed refuse. Despite pH neutralization, reactors seeded with 30% old refuse failed to undergo methanogenesis. Food waste in a second set of reactors, containing 70% seed, produced 300.7 ml CH₄dry g⁻¹. Leachate toxicity was evaluated by a modified anaerobic toxicity assay (ATA). The results of ATAs were typically consistent with the methane production behavior of the reactors. However, the toxicity observed in the ATA test could not be simulated with synthetic leachate containing high concentrations of carboxylic acids and sodium. Tests with 20, 5, 15 and 12 g l⁻¹of acetate, propionate, butyrate and sodium, respectively, suggested that high concentrations of butyric acid and sodium inhibited the onset of methane production but that refuse micro-organisms could acclimatize to these concentrations within 5–10 days. The refuse ecosystem was shown to tolerate higher concentrations of undissociated carboxylic acids than previously reported for anaerobic digesters.     

Stable isotope signatures for characterising the biological stability of landfilled municipal solid waste

Stable isotopic signatures of landfill leachates are influenced by processes within municipal solid waste (MSW) landfills mainly depending on the aerobic/anaerobic phase of the landfill. We investigated the isotopic signatures of δ¹³C, δ²H and δ¹⁸O of different leachates from lab-scale experiments, lysimeter experiments and a landfill under in situ aeration. In the laboratory, columns filled with MSW of different age and reactivity were percolated under aerobic and anaerobic conditions. In landfill simulation reactors, waste of a 25 year old landfill was kept under aerobic and anaerobic conditions. The lysimeter facility was filled with mechanically shredded fresh waste. After starting of the methane production the waste in the lysimeter containments was aerated in situ. Leachate and gas composition were monitored continuously. In addition the seepage water of an old landfill was collected and analysed periodically before and during an in situ aeration.We found significant differences in the δ¹³C-value of the dissolved inorganic carbon (δ¹³C-DIC) of the leachate between aerobic and anaerobic waste material. During aerobic degradation, the signature of δ¹³C-DIC was mainly dependent on the isotopic composition of the organic matter in the waste, resulting in a δ¹³C-DIC of ?20‰ to ?25‰. The production of methane under anaerobic conditions caused an increase in δ¹³C-DIC up to values of +10‰ and higher depending on the actual reactivity of the MSW. During aeration of a landfill the aerobic degradation of the remaining organic matter caused a decrease to a δ¹³C-DIC of about ?20‰. Therefore carbon isotope analysis in leachates and groundwater can be used for tracing the oxidation–reduction status of MSW landfills.Our results indicate that monitoring of stable isotopic signatures of landfill leachates over a longer time period (e.g. during in situ aeration) is a powerful and cost-effective tool for characterising the biodegradability and stability of the organic matter in landfilled municipal solid waste and can be used for monitoring the progress of in situ aeration.     

A Composting Study of Membrane-Like Polyvinyl Alcohol Based Resins and Nanocomposites

This study presents the effect of biodegradation, in a composting medium, on properties of membrane-like crosslinked and noncrosslinked polyvinyl alcohol (PVA) and nanocomposites. The composting was carried out for 120 days and the biodegradation of these materials was characterized using various techniques. The changes in the PVA resin and nanocomposite surface topography and microstructure during composting were also characterized. The results from the analyses suggest biodegradation of PVA based materials in compost medium was mainly by enzymes secreted by fungi. The results also indicate that the enzymes degraded the amorphous regions of the specimens first and that the PVA crystallinity played an important role in its biodegradation. The surface roughness of the specimens was seen to increase with composting time as the microbial colonies grew which in turn facilitated further microorganism growth. All specimens broke into small pieces between 90 and 120 days of composting as a result of deep biodegradation. Glyoxal and malonic acid crosslinking decreased the PVA biodegradation rate slightly. Addition of highly crystalline microfibrillated cellulose and naturally occurring halloysite nanotubes in PVA based nanocomposites also decreased the biodegradation rate. The three factors: PVA crystallinity, crosslinking and additives, may be utilized effectively to extend the life of these materials in real life applications.     

Detection of a Toxic Product Released by a Polyurethane-Containing Film Using a Composting Test Method Based on a Mineral Bed

The degradation of a film containing a 4,4diphenyl methane diisocyanate (MDI) poly(€-caprolactone)-based polyurethane was followed in a test system based on a mineral solid bed designed to facilitate analysis of break-down products released under composting conditions. The use of a mineral solid bed can help extraction and analytical procedures which could be hindered by the heterogeneous nature of compost. The fermentation conditions are typical of the composting environment and generate a powerfully degradative environment. The film fully disintegrated within 30 days of treatment. Analysis on the mineral bed extracts showed that: (i) about 40% of the initial polyurethane was still present in the bed extracts; (ii) this residue was strongly degraded in the poly(€-caprolactone) part, while the urethane part was almost completely recovered (from 80 to 95%, according to the measurement method); (iii) 4,4 diamino diphenyl methane (MDA), a very dangerous product of MDI, was released during biodegradation. The results indicate that a mineral bed can be employed to study degradation and metabolites formation in solid phase fermentation and that the MDI-based polyurethanes are not susceptible of a full degradation during composting and maintain the potential of a slow release of MDA into the environment after soil application.     

The effect of lignin and sugars to the aerobic decomposition of solid wastes

A series of experimental runs were conducted from 1995 to 1999 in Madison (WI, USA) with the goal to investigate the biodegradation process of seven (7) solid waste components and mixtures of them under near optimal aerobic conditions. It was shown that substrates with high initial lignin contents or high initial HWSM contents were observed to have relatively low and high degradation extents, respectively. Two linear equations were derived that correlate degradation extent (as indicated by the volatile solids reduction) to initial lignin and initial HWSM contents separately. The lignin equation was compared to a similar equation previously developed for anaerobic environments by Chandler et al. (Predicting methane fermentation biodegradability. In: Biotechnology and Bioengineering Symposium No. 10 (1980) New York: John Wiley & Sons). With comparison to the Chandler formula, lignin was found to be less inhibitory to the overall substrate decomposition in aerobic environments compared to anaerobic ones. Cellulose loss contributed to a higher than 50% to the overall dry mass loss for all substrates studied. In addition, the cellulose to lignin (C/L) ratio appeared to be a relatively accurate compost maturity indicator, since it reduced to a value less than 0.5 for most substrates that had reached their degradation extent.