At present, it is very common to hear concepts such as “this is a biodegradable container” or “are biodegradable substances”, the idea of โโbiodegradability is the order of the day but what do you mean? Do you know what we really mean when we talk about something is biodegradable? Let’s know, in ecology, see, What is biodegrading and what impact it has on nature and our daily routine.
What is biodegradation
Biodegradation is the power that some substances have in break down in other chemical components In a short period and reintegrate on Earth, with the appropriate environmental conditions. It is a concept closely related to ecology, by possessing, biodegradation, the ability to reuse substances.
Exist Two types of degradation Easily differentiable:
- Aerobic degradation: This is what is done in contact with oxygen.
- Anaerobic degradation: In this case the process is carried out in the absence of oxygen.
In summary, the concept of biodegradibility is based on the solid base that any substance that decomposes naturally is less harmful to the environment than other types of substance. In the opposite part, we will find non -biodegradable products, which do not break down and are a risk to the environment (glass, plastics etc). Becoming aware of this concept is of the utmost importance to highlight recycling.
Material degradation examples
Next, we are going to expose a series of examples on the times of degradation of some materials, it will not only be a list of enlightening data, and it will make us see the importance of biodegradablity:
- A gum: It will not be the first or the last time we throw a gum on the ground, its degradation time can last up to 5 years. If we think how many gum are thrown to the ground every day, the issue can become worrying.
- Lighters: Steel and plastic can take to disappear up to a century.
- Aerosols: The metal structure takes up to 30 years to eliminate.
- Plastic bags: The great headache that is trying to solve for a few years, 150 years are necessary to eliminate them.
- Pilas: Many times we find batteries for the soils, in addition to being highly polluting, their degradation capacity is almost nil.
- Plates: Another very common element that is thrown to the ground or the field can take up to 2 years to disappear. This list makes us think about the importance of recycling, and how valuable biodegradable products are.
Biodegradable products vs non -biodegradable products
The difference between both types of products is abysmal, the final incidence in nature is the value by which we must measure them. To better understand the importance of biodegradable products, let’s talk about Consequences of non -biodegradable products.
Products that are not able to biodegrade or through air, oxygen, water, etc., are a potential danger to nature. Not only because they need hundreds of years to disappear but the degrading effect of substances such as water make these products detach toxic and very polluting substances for the environment; A simple can can take up to more than 300 years to degrade in its entirety or a simple but more than 10 years, these are an examples to realize the danger of these products.
Known the problems of non -biodegradable products, it is much easier to understand the benefits of biodegradable products. First, it is a relatively short space of time tend to break down in useful substances. These can be reused to create new products or simply reintegrate into nature, without any negative effect.
Examples of biodegradable products
Some examples of biodegradable products are:
- The paper: Its main component is cellulose, which over time and contact with fungi, humidity and bacteria decomposes. The speed with which it does will depend on the conditions in which it is located, but outdoors it usually degrades 2 to 5 months.
- Wood: All woods are biodegradable, yes, depending on their typology can do so in a few months or in many years.
- Leather: It is still animal skin, so in normal conditions it degrades very fast. However, if it goes through a tanning process, it can take between 20 years and several centuries.
- Faeces: Whether human or animals, feces take very little time in degrades and reintegrate into nature.
- Vegetables and fruits: Being of biological origin takes a very short time to degrade.
- Wool: It is another product of animal origin that, being biological, is also biodegradable. Depending on your care you can lengthen more time, but if not, it is easily degraded.
- Meat: All types of meat, of any animal, easily degrades by the action of microorganisms that disintegrate their tissues.
Biodegradables for daily use
Surely at some point you will have noticed that some products carry the appointment “Biodegradable product”with this we have the assurance that we have a biodegradable ecological product and that its waste will serve to reuse and become a new product.
It is not necessary to go very far to look for biodegradable products, the things we use daily possess that faculty: clothing soap, garbage bags, diapers, toilet paper, boxes, etc. All these product, possibly, have the quality of being biodegradable. They can be made of paper, wood, leather, wool etc.
We practically move between biodegradable products, which shows that a great effort has been made to try to develop products with friendly characteristics with the environment. It should be noted BioplรกStics that efficiently replace the common plastic, are polymers of natural origin that are degraded through microorganisms, fungi, etc., being a good option to replace the plastic non -biodegradable element par excellence. Used in medicine, for prostheses, suture, also in containers to use and pull, and in biodegradable bags.
Biodegability as a business concept
The increase in environmental awareness by a large part of the world’s population, has made such important concepts like biodegradable products. This in turn has been creating some Business models They have helped the development of products with biodegradable materials: manufacture of biodegradable bags, footwear, cleaning products, etc …
Respect for the environment is becoming a capital value for people, consuming quality products and environmental respectful. In this way, the biodegradable products are present on a day -to -day basis as part of our life.
If you want to read more articles similar to Biodegradability: Examples of biodegradable productswe recommend that you enter our recycling and waste management category.