Biodegradable :-

A "biodegradable" product has the ability to break down, safely and relatively quickly,
by biological means, into the raw materials of nature and disappear into the
environment. These products can be solids biodegrading into the soil (which we also
refer to as compostable), or liquids biodegrading into water. Biodegradable plastic is
intended to break up when exposed to microorganisms (a natural ingredient such as
cornstarch or vegetable oil is added to achieve this result).

Crude oil, for example, will biodegrade in its natural state, but once it is turned into
plastic, it becomes an unsustainable pollution problem. Instead of returning to the
cycle of life, these products simply pollute and litter our land, air, and water.

Biodegradable waste is a type of waste, typically originating from plant or

animal sources, which may be broken down by other living organisms.

It can be commonly found in municipal solid waste as:

• Green waste
• Food waste
• Paper waste
• Biodegradable plastics

Other biodegradable waste includes:

• Human waste
• Manure
• Sewage
• Slaughterhouse waste
He re 's h ow lon g i t t akes f or s ome com monl y u sed pr od ucts t o
bio deg ra de, wh en th ey ar e sc atter ed a bout as litte r:

Cot ton ra gs 1- 5 m ont hs

Pape r 2- 5 m ont hs
Rope 3- 14 mont hs
Orang e pee ls 6 mo nth s
Wo ol so ck s 1 to 5 yea rs
Ciga re tte butts 1 to 12 y ear s
Plas tic c oat ed pa per milk
5 ye ar s
cart ons
25 t o 4 0
Leat he r s ho es
year s
30 t o 4 0
Nylon fab ric
year s
50 t o 1 00
Tin c ans
year s
80 t o 1 00
Aluminu m can s
year s
Plas tic 6- pack hol de r rin gs 45 0 yea rs
1 milli on
Gl as s bo ttle s
year s
Plas tic b ottl es Fo re ver

Uses of biodegradable waste :-

Biodegradable waste is a little recognised resource. Through correct waste

management, often using the two key processes of anaerobic digestion and
composting, it can be converted into valuable products.

Anaerobic digestion converts biodegradable waste into several products, including

biogas, which can be used to generate renewable energy or heat for local heating, and
soil amendment .Composting converts biodegradable waste into compost.

Biodegradable waste and global warming

:-

Biodegradable waste is an important substance due to its links with global warming.
When it is disposed of in landfills, it breaks down under uncontrolled anaerobic
conditions. This produces landfill gas which, if not harnessed, escapes into the
atmosphere. Landfill gas contains methane, a more potent greenhouse gas than carbon
dioxide.

Methods of measuring biodegradation :-

Biodegradation can be measured in a number of ways. The activity of aerobic
microbes can be measured by the amount of oxygen they consume or the amount of
carbon dioxide they produce. Biodegradation can be measured by anaerobic microbes
and the amount of methane they produce.
Non-biodegradable :-

Non-biodegradable refers to the inability of a substance to be broken down, and

retaining its form for an extended period of time. It is something not biodegradable!

Landfills sometimes are filled to capacity because of the amount of non-

biode gradabl e materials dumped!

Non-Biodegradable Pollution :- pollution that accumulates in

the environment and may appear in the food chain pollution - undesirable state of the
natural environment being contaminated with harmful substances as a consequence
of human activities

Prepared By:-

Smt. Satinder Kaur

(Sc. Mistress)
Govt. girls Sr. Sec. School Adarsh Nagar