What is biodegradation? Biodegradation is actual every-day science. You've watched things biodegrade. We're all familiar with this process. Ever left an apple core or a banana peel on the counter? Ever left leftovers too long in the fridge? That banana peel, the longer it is exposed to sunlight, oxygen, rain, and microorganisms (like bacteria or fungi), eventually goes away. Things that go away are biodegradable.
Where do things go after they biodegrade? Pardon the Existentialistic underpinnings of that question, but when that banana peel goes away, it actually transitions from banana peel to something else. It breaks down into water, carbon dioxide and biomass (a charming word for a trail mix of hydrogen, oxygen, nitrogen, and carbon). These items are naturally-occurring elements and are absorbed into the ecosystem. That banana peel came from Mother Earth, and now returns to her bosom. Circle of life.
Are all plastics biodegradable? Do all humans like opera music? Do all children like asparagus? Does every tree shed its leaves in the fall? Plastics are different. Some are tough, some are flexible, others are light, others are heavy. Some plastics are biodegradable, and others are not. All plastics are degradable, meaning that their chemical composition will change. For a plastic to be biodegradable, it must degrade from naturally occurring forces (like bacteria or fungi), and be absorbed into the ecosystem. However, biodegradation, as it is defined, has no requirement for how long that process takes, nor for whether or not it leaves a toxic residue.
Degradable, Biodegradable and Compostable plastics: what's the difference? Conventional petroleum based plastics are degradable; in the right circumstances their chemical properties will downgrade (degrade). Biodegradable plastics, with the help of naturally occurring bacteria and fungus will go away. Time and toxicity are not factored in to whether or not a plastic is biodegradable. Compostable plastics are plastics that biodegrade at the same speed as paper AND don't leave any toxic residues. This triangle of plastics shows not only the earth friendliness of these three plastic groups but also the circulation.But plastics are everywhere? Is this bad? Absolutely not. Plastics are everywhere because they are wonderful! If plastics are disposed of properly (i.e. recycled, reused, properly incinerated) they have minimal impact on our environment; much less than plastic alternatives. Imagine all of the plastic in your world ... containers, bottles, shampoo bottles, chairs, auto parts, clothing, fabric, carpets, pipes, tubes, straws, kitchen appliances, and more. Now imagine if it was all now made of metal, wood, or glass. Think of the costs? Think of the weight? Think of the energy waste? Plastics are good for you and our environment, some more than others, true.
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