ASTM_D_5488_-_94de1.pdf

Designation:D 5488 94de1Standard Terminology ofEnvironmental Labeling of Packaging Materials andPackages1This standard is issued under the fixed designation D 5488;the number immediately following the designation indicates the year oforiginal adoption or,in the case of revision,the year of last revision.A number in parentheses indicates the year of last reapproval.Asuperscript epsilon(e)indicates an editorial change since the last revision or reapproval.e1NOTEThe term“biodegradable”was corrected editorially in June 1995.1.Scope1.1 This standard establishes definitions for labeling ofpackaging materials and packages which communicate envi-ronmental attributes to consumers,users,or both.Thesedefinitions will include consideration of the production,use,and disposal of packaging materials and packages.(For adefinition of packages,see Terminology D 996).2.Referenced Documents2.1 ASTM Standards:D 996 Terminology of Packaging and Distribution Environ-ments23.Terminology3.1 available program,na qualifying term which can beused in the definition of recyclable,reusable,refillable,return-able,compostable,establishing limits;for example by popula-tion and access within geographic area.3.1.1 DISCUSSIONThis term is an essential component ofrecyclable,reusable,refillable,returnable,and compostable.Manufacturers should refer to FTC Guidelines to ensure claimsare not deceptive.Claims should be qualified with appropriatephrases such as the following:“Recyclable where facilities exist.Check to see if recyclingfacilities exist in your community.”“Recyclable where facilities exist.Collection programs havebeen established in x%of the country.Check to determine ifthey exist in your community.”“Compostable in centralized facilities.Check to see ifcomposting programs exist in your community.”“Compostable at home.May be composted in as part of yourcomposting pile at home.”3.2 biodegradable,adjcapable of undergoing decompo-sition into carbon dioxide,methane,water,inorganic com-pounds,or biomass in which the predominant mechanism is theenzymatic action of micro-organisms,that can be measured bystandardized tests,in a specified period of time,reflectingavailable disposal conditions.3.3 compaction ratio,nthe measurement of the relation-ship of volume displacement of a package before and aftersimulated landfill conditions as determined in standardizedtests.3.4 compostable,adjcapable of undergoing biologicaldecomposition in a compost site as part of an availableprogram,such that the material(that is,feedstock)is notvisually distinquishable and breaks down to carbon dioxide,water,inorganic compounds,and biomass,at a rate consistentwith known compostable materials.3.4.1 DISCUSSIONSee available program for further clari-fication.Also,manufacturers should indicate if composting athome or centralized facility is appropriate.3.5 equivalent product,nprovides the same amount ofproduct or number of recommended uses as contained in thepackage being replaced(as related to Subcommittee D10.46package source reduction).3.6 package source reduction,nthe reduction of theweight or volume of the packaging materials used in a packagecontaining an equivalent product.3.7 photodegradable,adjcapable of undergoing a sig-nificant loss of properties that can be measured by standardizedtests after exposure to representative amounts of sunlight.3.8 recyclable,adjcapable of being removed,separated,or diverted from the solid waste stream in an availableprogram,established by,but not limited to,manufacturers,retailers,or municipalities;processed and returned to use in theform of raw materials or products.3.8.1 DISCUSSIONSee available program for further clari-fication.3.9 recycled,adjdiverted,separated,or removed from thesolid waste stream,processed and returned to use in the formof raw materials or products.3.10 recycled content,nthe percent of a packaging ma-terial that is composed of recycled material.3.11 refillable,adjintended to be refilled for its originalpurpose one or more times in an available program establishedby,but not limited to,manufacturers,distributors,or retailers.3.11.1 DISCUSSIONSee available program and reusablefor further clarification.1This terminology is under the jurisdiction of ASTM Committee D-10 onPackaging and is the direct responsibility of Subcommittee D10.46 on Environmen-tal Labeling.Current edition approved Dec.15,1994.Published February 1995.Originallypublished as D 5488 93.Last previous edition D 5488 94c.2Annual Book of ASTM Standards,Vol 15.09.1AMERICAN SOCIETY FOR TESTING AND MATERIALS100 Barr Harbor Dr.,West Conshohocken,PA 19428Reprinted from the Annual Book of ASTM Standards.Copyright ASTMNOTICE:This standard has either been superseded and replaced by a new version or discontinued.Contact ASTM International(www.astm.org)for the latest information.3.12 returnable,adjintended to be returned one or moretimes in an available program established by,but not limited tomanufacturers,distributors or retailers.3.12.1 DISCUSSIONSee avail