Background

Due to the persistence of plastics in the natural environment and the dependence of plastics on non-renewable resources, there has been an intense push by consumers for the development of biodegradable and compostable single-use plastics. Although there has been an increase in the presence of these materials in the market, there has been a lag in the development of commercial composting facilities. With the only certified alternative to treating this waste stream being incineration, there is a strong need for the development of alternative waste treatment methods as these materials, such as poly(lactic) acid (PLA) are not designed to breakdown in the natural environment and thus pose a physical risk to our marine and terrestrial environments.

Technology Overview

Researchers at the University of Hawai’i have developed a novel treatment process of select single-use ‘compostable’ food containers (such as PLA and fiber based materials like bagasse) that co-degrades these materials. Once pre-treated, these materials are able to be anaerobically co-digested to further biodegrade these materials. The techniques described in this invention provides an alternative treatment system to traditional industrial composting methods and essentially transforms trash into an energy rich resource.

Features

Liquification of poly(latic) acid (Ingeo ™ ) single-use food containers into a strong acid
Method allows for the co-treatment of fiber based single-use food containers
Transforms ‘compostable’ single-use food containers from trash to a ‘fuel’

Benefits

Complete solubilization of PLA single-use plastics in water and thus creation of ‘free treatment chemicals’
Provides an alternative waste treatment to industrial composting facilities
Product of the pre-treatment process is an energy rich substrate that may be added to anaerobic digesters as an additional carbon source (low in nitrogen)
Process may be implemented in pre-existing treatment system (such as a WWTP) utilizing waste heat, thus may reduce total energy inputs

Process for Liquifying PLA Food Containers into a Strong Acid for Co-Degrading Fibrous Food Containers

Patents

IP Status

Seeking