Biodegradable plastics vary greatly in different environments

In the definition of biodegradation, it includes four major definitions: soil degradation, compostable degradation, marine environmental degradation, and freshwater environmental degradation. As the name suggests, there are different biodegradable plastics available for different environments.

Soil degradable

Under soil burial conditions, it is a property that can ultimately decompose into simple compounds such as carbon dioxide (CO2) and/or methane (CH4), water (H2O), and mineralized inorganic salts and biological dead bodies containing elements.

Composting degradable

Under composting conditions, it can ultimately be decomposed into simple compounds such as carbon dioxide (CO2) and/or methane (CH4), water (H2O), as well as mineralized inorganic salts and biological dead bodies containing elements.

Degradation of marine environment

In marine environments such as sediment interfaces, sediments, other actual field conditions, and laboratory thermophilic simulation conditions, materials can ultimately be decomposed into simple compounds such as carbon dioxide (CO2) and/or methane (CH4), water (H2O), and mineralized inorganic salts of the elements they contain, as well as a property of biological death.

Freshwater environment degradable

In freshwater environments such as rivers, lakes, and simulated aqueous culture media, materials can ultimately be decomposed into simple compounds such as carbon dioxide (CO2) and/or methane (CH4), water (H2O), and mineralized inorganic salts of the elements they contain, as well as a property of biological death.

In fact, the vast majority of biodegradable plastics currently in use are compostable biodegradable plastics, which means that biodegradable plastic products cannot be discarded casually after use, and degradation also requires conditions. But in the natural environment, it is difficult to achieve this degradation condition, and it requires artificial creation of conditions. While vigorously promoting biodegradable plastics, it also requires the follow-up of supporting facilities.

And in our daily lives, we should also pay attention to garbage classification after using biodegradable plastic products, so that the subsequent processing can be simpler and more efficient, thus achieving true green environmental protection!