Biodegradation of Synthetic Polymers by Composting and Fungal Treatment

Two types of copolymers — poly(ester-amide)s — by the anionic copolymerization of ɛ-caprolactam and ɛ-caprolactone, and aromatic-aliphatic copolyesters based on glycolyzed polyethylene terephthalate from used beverage bottles and ɛ-caprolactone were prepared. Biodegradation tests of these copolymers were performed by two methods,viz. composting under controlled conditions and treatment with ligninolytic fungi. Both methods resulted in degradation of the copolymers, composting being more robust. Out of fungal strains testedInonotus hispidus degraded aromatic-aliphatic copolyesters most intensively.