Biodegradable refers to any substance that can be broken down by microorganisms (such as bacteria and fungi) and absorbed into the natural environment. Biodegradation is a naturally occurring process.
When an object decomposes, its original components are broken down into simpler components such as biomass, carbon dioxide, water. This process can take place with or without oxygen, but it takes less time with oxygen, just as a bunch of leaves in your yard decompose in a season.
The time to biodegrade varies from a few days (eg: vegetable waste) to 500 years or more (eg: plastic bags).
Biodegradation time of household items
Vegetables: 5 days ~ 1 month
Paper: 2 to 5 months Cotton T-shirt: 6 months
Leaves: 1 year
Nylon fabric: 30~40 years
Aluminum cans: 80~100 years
Styrofoam Cups: 500+ Years
Plastic bags: 500+ years
How long it takes to biodegrade depends on the chemical composition of the object and how it is stored, with variables such as temperature, water, light and oxygen affecting the rate of degradation. Most landfills lack sunlight, air and moisture, so the biodegradation process slows down significantly.
Vegetable peels, eggshells, paper and garden waste are all directly biodegradable. When these items are discarded, they decompose in a relatively short period of time, so they can be absorbed into the natural environment.
In contrast, materials such as foam, plastic and aluminum are generally considered non-biodegradable because they take a long time to break down.
Figuring out whether an object is actually biodegradable can be a challenge, especially when you're evaluating objects that aren't typically made from biodegradable materials, such as phone cases or tote bags. So, if you want to determine if something is biodegradable, check the packaging and don't hesitate to contact the manufacturer to ask.
That said, most "biodegradable" consumer products are not actually absorbed into the ground through natural biodegradation. In order to biodegrade, they need to create a specific set of conditions through the composting process.
