Water,
Journal Year:
2024,
Volume and Issue:
16(22), P. 3293 - 3293
Published: Nov. 16, 2024
Bioplastics
are
designed
to
degrade
at
the
end
of
their
lifecycle,
but
effective
management
end-of-life
phase
and
integration
into
existing
organic
waste
systems
remain
significant
challenges.
Some
bioplastics
decompose
under
anaerobic
conditions,
with
digestion
(AD)
process
being
a
potential
solution
for
disposal.
AD
is
promising
technology
valorising
wastes,
enabling
biomethane
production,
reducing
carbon
footprints,
promoting
product
circularity.
This
study
focuses
on
evaluating
continuous
co-digestion
mixed
sludge
from
an
urban
wastewater
treatment
plant
(WWTP).
Polyhydroxybutyrate
(PHB)
was
selected
bioplastic,
as
various
studies
have
reported
its
high
rapid
degradation
mesophilic
conditions.
PHB’s
biodegradability
typical
WWTP
conditions
(35
°C,
20-day
retention
time)
assessed
in
batch
tests
results
indicate
that
PHB
ranged
68
75%,
depending
particle
size.
To
further
explore
valorisation,
feasibility
tested
laboratory
scale
using
two
digesters:
conventional
digester
(CSTR)
membrane
bioreactor
(AnMBR).
The
indicated
complete
PHB,
which
led
higher
biomethanisation
percentages
both
digesters,
rising
58%
70%
AnMBR
44%
72%
CSTR.
notable
increase
observed
CSTR
attributed
changes
microbial
populations
improved
biodegradability.
