Summary by Tim Dunn, M.A.
The test lab found that the straight line extrapolation of a 3mm thick sample in anaerobic conditions produced 1.2% biogas in 53 days from samples 3mm thick. The lab also found that the 3mm (about 1/8" thick) sample would completely mineralize in 12 years, using a straight line extrapolation. The implication of this is that a sample the thickness of an ordinary shopping bag (12.5 to 15 microns thick) would completely mineralize in about a month, in anaerobic conditions, using a straight line extrapolation. Unfortunately, the lab included proprietary information in its formal report, so it can't be published here. EPA reports indicate that landfills gases are not anaerobic, as they contain between .1% and 1% oxygen, compared to 21% oxygen in the atmosphere. Such conditions are called microaerophilic, and microaerophilic conditions support aerobic processes.
Below is the chart from the original laboratory test report showing the mineralization results plotted. The upper curve is the treated sample. Chart and data by Todd Stevens, PhD., of Stevens Ecology, from a report prepared using samples provided by Earth Nurture.