Calorimetric analysis of plastics fragments sampled during full scale composting

The morphological evolution of the compostable materials during the composting process was assessed by DSC (DSC1, Mettler Toledo, Switzerland) under N2 (flow rate 50 mL/min) using at minimum 1 mg not cleaned solid in 40 µL aluminum pans. Calibration was carried out with Indium and Zinc standards. The samples were scanned with heat-cool-heat program between – 60 and + 180 °C at 10 °C/min heating or cooling rate. Melting enthalpy (Hm) and glass transition temperature (Tg) shown here were analyzed at the first heating scan. If enough material was available, measurements were done in duplicate. Because of the unknown formulation of the samples, the crystallinity degree could not be determined. The Tg of the PHA samples could not be measured, because the equipment was not sensitive enough.