Biodegradable and Non-biodegradable
Discuss
Biodegradable and Non-biodegradable are types of waste materials (or substances) that are categorized
on the basis of their degradation. All the material tends to degrade in the natural surrounding. Some are
easily degradable and some take thousands of years to degrade.
Biodegradable materials are substances that can be decomposed or broken down by microorganisms
and other living organisms. Biodegradables generally include organic wastes like leftover foodstuffs,
kitchen waste like fruits and vegetable peels, etc.
However, Non-Biodegradable materials are substances that cannot be decomposed or broken down by
microorganisms and other living organisms rather leading to pollution. Non-Biodegradables are
generally inorganic wastes like plastic bags, cans, bottles, chemicals, etc.
Let’s learn more about Biodegradable and Non-biodegradable waste materials in this article.
Biodegradable Meaning
A biodegradable substance or material is one that may quickly break down by bacteria or any other
natural organisms without contributing to pollution.
Kitchen waste, food waste, and other naturally occurring waste are a few examples of biodegradable
waste. Biodegradable wastes are waste materials that are and can be easily degraded by natural factors
like microbes (e.g., bacteria, fungi, and a few others), and abiotic components like temperature, UV,
oxygen, etc. Together with other abiotic components, microorganisms decompose complicated
materials into simple organic matter that eventually suspends and dissipates into the earth. The entire
procedure, which might go quickly or slowly, is natural. Therefore, there are very few hazards and
environmental problems associated with biodegradable garbage.
Examples of Biodegradable Materials
Some important examples of Biodegradable Materials are,
Paper
Food waste
Human waste
Manure
Sewage sludge
Slaughterhouse waste
Dead animals and plants
Hospital Waste, etc.
What is Biodegradable Waste?
The type of waste that can be broken down by other living things mainly comes from plant or animal
sources and is called Biodegradable Waste.
Biodegradable Waste
Green garbage, food waste, paper waste, and biodegradable plastics are all common examples of
biodegradable waste that can be found in municipal solid waste. Human waste, manure, sewage, and
slaughterhouse waste are examples of additional biodegradable wastes.
Non-Biodegradable Meaning
A non-biodegradable material is any type of substance that is a cause of pollution and cannot be
degraded by living things.
Non-biodegradable wastes cannot be handled as easily as biodegradable trash. Wastes that are not
biodegradable cannot be broken down or eliminated by natural processes. They endure on earth for a
very long time without degrading.
As a result, the threat they pose is likewise more serious. Plastics, which are frequently used materials in
practically every sector, are a remarkable example. Improved quality plastics are being used to offer
these polymers a long-lasting effect. They became more durable even after use and more temperature
resistant as a result. Cans, metals, and chemicals used in agriculture and industry are more examples.
Non-Biodegradable Waste
Examples of Non-Biodegradable Materials
Some important examples of Non-Biodegradable Materials are,
Glass
Plastic
Metals
Pesticides
Fibers
E-waste
Hazardous substances
Artificial rubber
Artificial polymers, etc.
What is Non-Biodegradable Waste?
A substance that cannot break down or dissolve naturally and causes pollution is referred to as non-
biodegradable waste.
Degradation is not possible with these products because they are manufactured and do not occur
naturally. Therefore, they damage our environment when they exist in the ecosystem for a long time
without decomposing. Examples of non-biodegradable garbage include polystyrene, metal, aluminium
cans, tires, paint, poisonous chemicals, and plastics.
Biodegradable and Non-Biodegradable Differences
The major differences between Biodegradable and Non-Biodegradable materials are,
Biodegradable
Non-Biodegradable
Biodegradable materials can be decomposed naturally by microorganisms and other living organisms.
Non-Biodegradable materials can not be decomposed naturally by any living organisms.
The decomposition of such materials takes place in presence of air, sunlight, water, soil,
microorganisms, and all. However, Non-Biodegradable wastes can not decay in the ecosystem
naturally and create pollution.
Biodegradable wastes come from organic things like kitchen waste, paper, organic waste, etc. While
non-biodegradable wastes are manufactured chemically, therefore found to become from human
activities
Faster Rate of Decomposition. Slower Rate of Decomposition.
Such waste is useful for the production of fertilizers, manure, compost, biogas, etc. This waste is
needed to be separated first and get recycled, which is expensive and time-consuming.
e.g. Kitchen waste, Human waste, Manure, Sewage sludge, Dead animals and plants, etc. e.g.
Glass, Plastic, Metals, Hazardous substances, Pesticides, Fibers, etc.
Effects of Waste Material on Environment
Waste materials have a very adverse effect on our environment. They pollute the environment in which
we live and make it inhabitable for existence.
These waste materials not only pollute our environment but also pollute the environments of other
animals living in them making it difficult for them to survive. The billions of tonnes of waste generated
every year find their way into landfills or into the sea where they make the organism living in that
environment suffer and thus disturb the balance of life in their environment.
The smoke produced by vehicles, factories, and others makes the air polluted which leads to various
diseases in humans and other. It can cause irritation in the eyes, lung diseases, difficulty in breathing,
and other problems.
Thus, it is clear that waste materials have an adverse effect on our environment. So it is our
responsibility to clean our environment.
Treatments of Waste Material
Both biodegradable and non-biodegradable materials if not treated properly can cause harmful effects
on our environment. Thus proper treatment of the waste material is a must. We must make sure that
the waste we produce is decomposed in the most scientific way damaging the environment the least.
Various techniques are used to achieve these targets. We must aware people of the serious problems of
waste and proper waste management techniques must be taught to them.
Reduce, Reuse, and Recycle
3R or Reduce, Reuse and Recycle is the way to remove waste materials from the human society or
environment. We can not directly just ban all the materials which are harmful to us and our
surroundings as they are required for various purposes but to make sure they do not end up in seas, or
landfills, we must do some things. So to achieve all these purposes environmentalists came up with an
idea about 3R (Reduce, Reuse, and Recycle). Let’s learn about it,
Reduce
We must reduce the use of harmful chemicals and plastics and must switch to safer alternatives as early
as possible. For example, reducing the use of plastic bags and promoting the use of jute bags.
Resue
We must reuse harmful plastics substances so that they may not end up in the seas or landfills. For
example, we can use paint buckets (after cleaning) for storing water and other essentials.
Recycle
We should recycle the waste materials to be used again and again. For example, aluminium can be used
again, we can recycle old newspapers and others.
Read More,
Polymers
Rubber
Polymerisation
FAQs on Biodegradable and Non-Biodegradable
Q1: What does Biodegradable mean?
Answer:
A biodegradable substance or material is one that quickly breaks down by bacteria or other natural
organisms naturally without contributing to pollution. For example, vegetable and fruit peel get
degraded naturally bu the bacteria in the soil.
Q2: What does Non-biodegradable mean?
Answer:
A non-biodegradable substance or material is a material which does not break down naturally in the
environment and remains in the environment for a really long period of time if remains untreated. For
example, plastics if not treated say stay in the environment for several thousand years without
degrading.
Q3: What are the differences between Biodegradable and Non-Biodegradable Waste?
Answer:
Following are the differences between Biodegradable and Non-Biodegradable Waste:
Biodegradable Waste
Non-Biodegradable Waste
The decomposition of such materials takes place in presence of air, sunlight, water, soil,
microorganisms, and all. However, Non-Biodegradable wastes can not decay in the ecosystem
naturally and create pollution.
Biodegradable wastes come from organic things like kitchen waste, paper, organic waste, etc. While,
non-biodegradable wastes are manufactured chemically, therefore found to become from human
activities
Faster Rate of Decomposition. Slower Rate of Decomposition.
Such waste is useful for the production of fertilizers, manure, compost, biogas, etc. This waste is
needed to be separated first and get recycled, which is expensive and time-consuming.
e.g. Kitchen waste, Human waste, Manure, Sewage sludge, Dead animals and plants, etc. e.g.
Glass, Plastic, Metals, Hazardous substances, Pesticides, Fibers, etc.
Q4: What are Biodegradable and Non-Biodegradable substances?
Answer:
Substances which can easily degrade in the environment naturally are called biodegradable substances
example vegetable peels, newspapers, natural cloth and others. Whereas substances which can not
easily degrade in the environment naturally are called no-biodegradable substances example plastic,
metals and others.
Q5: How does biodegradable waste affect the environment?
Answer:
Biodegradable materials are decomposed down by microorganisms, for instance, bacteria and fungi.
They degrade down into simpler soluble substances and are therefore, used as a source of nutrients by
these organisms. Some of these materials mix well into the soil thereby increasing its fertility.
Q6: How Non-Biodegradable substances affect the environment?
Answer:
Non-Biodegradable materials are not decomposed naturally and stay in the environment for a long time
polluting the environment. They cause various types of pollution and diseases to plants and animals.
Q7: How are things Biodegraded?
Answer:
The process of biodegradation is initiated mainly by the microorganisms like bacteria and fungi.
Microorganisms depend on their enzymes to start the breakdown of substances. This process is carried
in the presence of suitable optimum conditions like temperature, moisture, pH of the medium, oxygen
level. Biological catalysts such as enzymes can be used to increase the rate of the reaction.
Last Updated : 18 Apr, 2023
10
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