Question

What are biodegradable materials? Give four examples of biodegradable materials.

Answer 1

Hint: If a substance can be degraded by decomposers or by nature they are known as biodegradable, but if they cannot be degraded then they are known as non-biodegradable.

Complete answer:
Biodegradable materials are those which can be decomposed naturally and they do not harm our environment. They are generally organic wastes and are important for soil as it increases fertility of the soil. Biodegradable materials can be broken down easily by many bacteria and microorganisms,etc.
For example, when the kitchen waste containing vegetable peel and leftover food is kept in open, various microorganisms like fungi, small insects, viruses act on it in a short period of time. This happens because moisture, oxygen and heat help in the process of decomposition. Decomposition is the process by which complex organic molecules are broken down into simple molecules.
Four examples of biodegradable substances are - Vegetable peels, Human aste, Egg shell, Remains of dead organisms, etc.

Additional information: Materials that cannot be easily broken down by microorganisms are referred to as the non-biodegradable substances. Non-biodegradable substances are those that lack the digestive enzymes which are useful for the degradation of organic compounds.

Note:Over the years, accumulation of non-biodegradable waste has led to an increase in land pollution. Thus, it is very important that we take measures to prevent such situations. a few of the ways are,
->Use cloth or jute bags over plastic bags
->Use reusable glass bottles over plastic bottles
->Use less plastic straws, spoons, forks, etc