Question

Distinguish between biodegradable and non-biodegradable substances.

Answer 1

Hint: Substances can be classified as degradable and non-biodegradable based on its degradability. Biodegradable substances are compounds that decompose into organic manure with the aid of various agents like microbes, air, water, soil, sunlight, ozone and so on. Non-biodegradable substances are compounds that do not decompose easily.

Complete answer:
The environment we live in has both degradable and non-biodegradable substances that take different duration to get decomposed. The differences between biodegradable and non-biodegradable substances are as follows:

Characteristics	Biodegradable substances	Non-biodegradable substances
Definition	Substances that can break down naturally and provide useful end products are known as biodegradable substances.	Substances that cannot break down naturally and take a long time for the degradation process are known as non-biodegradable substances.
Decomposition rate	Fast.	Slow.
Substances are broken down by	Microbes, sunlight, water and other natural agents.	These substances are not broken down easily by any agents.
End products	Biodegradable substances give end products like biogas, fertilizers and manure.	Since the decomposition rate is slow, obtaining the end products is a tedious process.
Use	These substances are harmless to living things and the environment.	These substances are harmful to the environment.
Examples	Vegetable wastes, fruit peels, dead plants, paper etc.	Plastic, chemicals, metals, rubber etc.

Note:
Biodegradable substances are broken down easily by various agents and are not toxic. The end products such as manure and biogas are useful in various ways. Non-biodegradable substances are not broken down rapidly and are not good for our environment. They are toxic and harmful. The rate of decomposition of these substances is very slow and can cause various problems when they are not decomposed and recycled properly.