The anaerobic degradation of the polymeric materials was
compared under high-solids AD conditions based on a protocol
described in ASTM D5511-02 [23] international standard. The test
measured the conversion of samples to CO2 and CH4 during incubation
under controlled anaerobic conditions. For this study test
specimens were exposed to an active methanogenic inoculum
derived from a full-scale anaerobic digester treating municipal
sewage sludge. These conditions resemble those found in highsolids
AD digestors and in biologically active landfills, but not in
typical landfills where water is excluded and removed.