Process of biological decomposition of organic matter performed by microorganisms, mostly bacteria and fungi.
Notes: - Lactic acid-based polyesters can be composted industrially provided that they are first hydrolytically degraded at a temperature above the glass transition temperature \(T_{\rm{g}}\), otherwise degradation is very slow.
- Packaging made of semi-crystalline lactic acid-based polyesters may not be compostable in a home compost bin.
Source:
PAC, 2020, 92, 193. 'Nomenclature and terminology for linear lactic acid-based polymers (IUPAC Recommendations 2019)' on page 207 (https://doi.org/10.1515/pac-2017-1007)