Avaliação da degradação biológica de canudos descartáveis em vermicompostagem

Abstract

The polymeric materials, including those with a petrochemical composition, represent a major socio-environmental problem, especially those for single use, such as disposable straws. In an attempt to mitigate the negative impact of these discarded materials, there are commercially available straw options that propose a sustainable approach. With the ability to degrade under certain conditions, some plastics are susceptible to biodegrading under appropriate conditions. For example, in composting, which has become a viable alternative method of degradation. Through abiotic conditions, the primary degradation factors are capable of reducing the size of the material, and subsequently, the biotic phase - with the presence of microorganisms that can bioassimilate these chemical species that are carbon sources. Thus, the present work aimed to evaluate the potential of domestic vermi-composting in the biodegradation of commercial straws made of PLA, TPS and oxo-biodegradable PP, as well as the effect of this decomposition on the soil. At the end of the 90-day composting experiment, the samples were subjected to optical and scanning electron microscopy, gravimetry and comparative visual analyses; the soil was subjected to moisture, carbon and nitrogen content analyses. Where it was found that the straws remained intact, even though vermicomposting had occurred satisfactorily.