The process: When biodegradable products are thrown into a compost they break down. “Biodegradable” refers to the ability of things to disintegrate (decompose) with the help of micro-organisms such as bacteria or fungi. This basically means the product can break down completely. If you think about it, most things are “biodegradable” meaning if they sit out long enough, they will disintegrate. Or at least somewhat breakdown. Generally speaking, biodegradable is not clear and the definition can vary. If a product is labeled “biodegradable”, it is important to do some further research such as looking for a definition from the company on their product or website that is more specific. That is one way to clarify if an item or company is really sustainable. Because of this, I often look for compostable products rather than biodegradable products, however it is still important to check for a specified amount of time it will take to break down, and to understand the products used in the item. Resource
Biodegradable vs. compostable: The primary difference between compostable and biodegradable is that compostable products require a specific setting in order to break down, whereas biodegradable products break down naturally. You need to make sure you have the right conditions to compost, such as access to a local composting facility, or space to allow certain things to break down over long periods of time. However, while biodegradable products might completely break down into the Earth, compostable goods are made specifically from organic matter. When organic matter breaks down, the end product has many beneficial uses such as fertilizing and improving soil health. Therefore, composting has more benefits, while biodegrading has less negative effects. Resource Resource
How they help the planet: When we don’t use compostable or biodegradable products and they go to the landfill, they take much, much longer to decompose or break down. They will break down eventually (at least in part), but this process produces greater amounts of methane and carbon dioxide. Greenhouse gases and get trapped in the atmosphere -- specifically the ozone layer-- and slowly but surely heat up the Earth to unlivable temperatures.
Downsides: A product might be labeled as biodegradable but only be able to break down in a facility, and that can get very pricey. It is still a much better choice to use reusables!
Paper products vs bioplastic: Many paper products are biodegradable but it is important to make sure they aren’t coated in wax or plastic or that toxic chemicals and inks aren’t used in them. Other than that, you can biodegrade paper pretty simply. On the other hand, plastic is not typically biodegradable… well it wasn’t until bioplastic became a thing. Biodegradable plastic can be broken down completely into water, carbon dioxide and compost by microorganisms under the right conditions. “Biodegradable” implies that the decomposition happens in weeks to months up to (3-6 months, but again this can vary depending on the product and company). Compostable plastic will biodegrade in a compost site. Recently, bioplastics have been used in typically disposable items like packaging, containers, straws, bags and bottles. These items can really have an impact on the environment so it is great that there are biodegradable options. Also note, this does not mean all types of straws or plastic bags can break down. Definitely don’t try that if it is not indicated. Resource
Other biodegradable products include some PLA and PHA plastics. These are not guaranteed to always be biodegradable, however they can be made with all organic materials. Of course, food scraps can break down, you can also find biodegradable soap, paper towels, toilet paper, newspaper, or even clothes and towels if they are made with materials like organic cotton, hemp, bamboo, etc.
Hope this answered any questions you had about biodegradable products, how they work, and how they compare to other products. This is definitely not a simple topic so make sure to keep asking questions and stay curious. Thanks for reading, for now, peace.
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