1. Introduction

In today’s society, plastic bags have become ubiquitous in daily life. However, traditional plastic bags pose severe environmental pollution issues due to their non-degradability. To address this challenge, fully biodegradable plastic bags have emerged. These bags can be broken down by microorganisms in natural environments, ultimately converting into harmless substances such as carbon dioxide, water, and biomass, making them eco-friendly. To regulate the production and use of fully biodegradable plastic bags and ensure their quality and environmental benefits, it is essential to establish a scientific and reasonable standard.

2. Scope

This standard specifies the terms and definitions, classification, requirements, test methods, inspection rules, as well as labeling, packaging, transportation, and storage of fully biodegradable plastic bags. It applies to various types of fully biodegradable plastic bags made primarily from biodegradable plastics through processes such as blow molding and calendaring, including shopping bags, garbage bags, and food packaging bags.

3. Terms and Definitions

Fully Biodegradable Plastic Bag: A plastic bag that can be decomposed by microorganisms under natural environmental conditions into harmless substances such as carbon dioxide, water, and biomass.

Biodegradable Plastic: A type of plastic that degrades under specific environmental conditions due to microbial action.

Degradation Rate: The percentage of degradation of a plastic bag over a specified period.

Ecotoxicity: The toxic effects of plastic bags on the ecological environment and organisms during the degradation process.

4. Classification

4.1 By Usage

Shopping Bags: Designed for carrying goods, with sufficient load-bearing capacity and an open design for convenience.

Garbage Bags: Used for collecting and containing waste, featuring good sealing and puncture resistance.

Food Packaging Bags: Designed for food packaging, complying with food hygiene standards and offering excellent barrier and sealing properties.

4.2 By Material

Polylactic Acid (PLA) Bags: Made primarily from PLA, offering good biocompatibility and degradability.

Polyhydroxyalkanoate (PHA) Bags: Made primarily from PHA, featuring fast degradation and environmental friendliness.

Starch-Based Bags: Made from starch blended with other biodegradable plastics, utilizing renewable resources.

5. Requirements

5.1 Appearance Quality

Color: Uniform with no noticeable color differences.

Surface: Smooth and free of defects, bubbles, impurities, or scratches.

Dimensional Tolerance: Length, width, and thickness deviations must comply with specified limits based on bag type and usage.

5.2 Physical Properties

Tensile Strength: Must meet relevant standards (e.g., ≥10 MPa for shopping bags, ≥8 MPa for garbage bags).

Elongation at Break: ≥100% to ensure flexibility and tear resistance.

Heat Seal Strength: ≥5 N/15 mm to prevent seal failure.

5.3 Biodegradability

Degradation Rate: ≥90% in natural environments (measured by CO₂ release), ≥95% under composting conditions.

Degradation Time: ≤2 years in natural environments, ≤6 months under composting conditions.

Ecotoxicity: Must not release harmful substances; compliance with relevant standards is required.

5.4 Hygiene Performance

Sensory Requirements: No odor, foreign smell, visible impurities, or stains.

Microbial Limits: No detectable coliforms or pathogens (e.g., Salmonella, Shigella).

Heavy Metal Content: Lead, cadmium, mercury, arsenic, etc., must comply with regulatory limits.

6. Test Methods

6.1 Appearance Inspection

Visual examination under natural light for color and surface quality.

Measurement of dimensions using precision tools (0.1 mm accuracy).

6.2 Physical Performance Testing

Tensile Strength & Elongation: As per GB/T 1040.

Heat Seal Strength: As per GB/T 10004.

6.3 Biodegradability Testing

Degradation Rate: ISO 14855 (aerobic composting) or ASTM D6400 (compostable plastics).

Degradation Time: Observed under natural/composting conditions.

Ecotoxicity: ISO 11348 (luminescent bacteria test) or GB/T 15190 (acute toxicity test).

6.4 Hygiene Testing

Sensory Check: Olfactory and visual inspection.

Microbial Testing:As per GB 4789.

Heavy Metal Analysis: As per GB/T 5009.

7. Inspection Rules

7.1 Factory Inspection

Items: Appearance, dimensions, tensile strength, elongation, heat seal strength, hygiene.

Frequency: Per production batch.

Judgment: Non-compliant batches require re-testing; failure in re-testing results in rejection.

7.2 Type Testing

Items: All specified in this standard.

Frequency: Every 6 months, or when:

New product launch.

Major changes in materials/processes.

Resumption after >6 months of suspend production.

Significant deviation in factory inspection.

Regulatory request.

Judgment: Same as factory inspection.

8. Labeling, Packaging, Transportation, and Storage

8.1 Labeling

Product Label: Must include name, model, material, standard code, production date/batch, shelf life, manufacturer details.

Packaging Label: Must include name, model, quantity, gross/net weight, volume, production details, standard code.

8.2 Packaging

Materials: Clean, dry, contamination-free, with moisture/dust protection.

Method: Bags packed by model, each with a compliance certificate (name, model, quantity, production details).

8.3 Transportation

Vehicles: Clean, dry, no hazardous material co-transport.

Conditions: Avoid sunlight, rain, and moisture damage.

8.4 Storage

Conditions: Dry, ventilated, away from heat/flames, no direct sunlight.

Shelf Life: 1 year if stored properly.

9. Conclusion

The establishment of standards for fully biodegradable plastic bags is crucial for regulating their production and use. By defining quality requirements and test methods, these bags can meet consumer needs while remaining environmentally sustainable. Moreover, the implementation of this standard will promote the adoption of fully biodegradable plastic bags, contributing to greener practices in the industry.