what is biodegradable

Biodegradable refers to the ability of a material to be broken down into smaller components by microorganisms, such as bacteria and fungi, and reabsorbed by the surrounding environment without causing any pollution. Biodegradable materials are substances that can be decomposed or broken down by microorganisms and other living organisms. Some examples of biodegradable waste include kitchen waste, food waste, and other naturally occurring waste. Biodegradable technology is established technology with some applications in product packaging, production, and medicine. However, the chief barrier to widespread implementation is the trade-off between biodegradability and performance. For example, lactide-based plastics are inferior in packaging properties in comparison to traditional materials. It is important to note that just because a product says it’s biodegradable doesn’t mean it degrades everywhere, as materials need specific conditions to biodegrade.