Bio-digestion and composting as end of use options for Ag films

International Conference and Exhibition on Biopolymers & Bioplastics

August 10-12, 2015 San Francisco, USA

Stanley Dudek and Mustafa CuneytCoskun

Posters-Accepted Abstracts: J Material Sci Eng

Abstract :

Agricultural films for use as greenhouse covers, mulch films and silage film are a film market in excess of 350 million pounds in
North America. There is a large recycling market for these films after their use in agriculture but much of these films still end
up in landfill or as litter.This paper will discuss the physical properties of various biopolymers in relationship to the application needs
of agricultural mulch films. The ability to recycle, compost or bio-digest these biopolymer based mulch films will be discussed in
relation to their petroleum based counterparts that are presently used.The focus will be on the use of the biopolymer film waste as
a replacement or a supplement to the use of and need for food waste in composting and biogas production.The percentage of food
waste in the raw materials to be composted or anaerobically digested directly effects the time necessary for composting and the
speed of biogas production. With food waste supplies and sources being variable, the use of biopolymer based agricultural films as a
supplement to the food waste could add predictability and increased production to the composting and biogas industries.