Question

Why are some substances biodegradable and some non-biodegradable?

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:
Substances can either be classified as biodegradable and non-biodegradable as some substances can be degraded through the microbial interaction and some cannot.
Biodegradable substances
Those substances that are broken down into simple soluble forms are generally referred to as biodegradable substances. These substances can be decomposed by nature - oxygena, UV rays, acid rains, microbes, water, etc.
Example - Bread loaf, meat, vegetable peels, 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.
Non-biodegradable substances
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.
Examples - Plastic, rubber, metals
These materials are generally recycled over the years. For example, thin boards and plastic bottles, though they shrink, they do not get completely dissolved. They remain in water bodies in the form of debris.

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