Degradable?—Biodegradable?—Biocompostable?
Packaging and plastic products may claim
to be environmentally-friendly using terms such as "biodegradable"
and "biocompostable". But what do these terms mean, and what is the
difference between them? To understand the effects that these materials have on
our planet, it is important to learn the differences. Degradable Degradable
materials break down into simpler materials in stages over many, many years. Duringthe degradation
of degradablematerial,well-defined intermediateproductsarecreated such as harmful micro-plastics. Biodegradable Biodegradable refers to the capacity for
materials to break down and return to nature within a landfill. For packaging
products or materials to qualify as biodegradable, they must completely break
down and decompose into natural elements within a short time after disposal -
typically within a year. Biodegrading within landfills reduces the accumulation
of waste, helping to create a safer and healthier environment. Materials that
are b…
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