ASTM D5929-18 test method determines the biodegradation properties of a material by reproducibly exposing materials to conditions typical of source-separated organic municipal solid waste (MSW) composting. A material is composted under controlled conditions using a synthetic compost matrix and determining the acclimation time, cumulative oxygen uptake, cumulative carbon dioxide production, and percent of theoretical biodegradation over the period of the test. Since the temperature can affect the biodegradation of some materials, this test is not intended to replicate conditions within municipal compost operations that reach thermophilic temperatures. 

BPC Blue is a fully automated biodegradability testing system suitable for ISO ASTM D5929 and may be configured to evaluate aerobic biodegradability of polymer samples under the same temperature range of controlled composting conditions using industrial compost as inoculum. Utilising an in-situ carbon dioxide absorption kit, BPC Blue functions as a closed-respirometer for continuous and on-line measurement of oxygen consumption or depletion caused by aerobic respiration of microorganisms.