Testing Methodology for Performance Longevity of Plastic Free Erosion Control ProductsStatus: CompleteReport Date: 09/11/2026 Summary: MnDOT commonly uses rolled erosion prevention products (REPPs) and hydraulic erosion control products (HECPs) to control erosion and establish vegetation on construction sites. Selecting the right product for each situation helps MnDOT meet stormwater permit requirements while managing costs. As MnDOT moves away from products containing plastic components because of their environmental impacts, however, new methods are needed to evaluate product performance and longevity. This project explored accelerated testing methods for comparing plastic-free HECPs and REPPs. The most promising approach combined an environmental chamber, a wood-decaying fungus and potato dextrose agar. After 28 days, the test produced degradation comparable to approximately six months of natural exposure in the field, offering a practical foundation for evaluating the functional longevity of plastic-free erosion control products. Final Deliverables: Testing Methodology for Performance Longevity of Plastic Free Erosion Control Products (Report #2026-32) Developing Longevity Tests for Plastic-Free Erosion Control Products (Research Summary) Related Materials: New Project: Development of Erosion Control Product Longevity Test Methodology (Blog Post) Related Research: