This chapter looks for understandable answers to what (bio)degradable or compostable actually means. Not in the linguistic sense, but in the sense of what those words actually mean when you find them printed on bags or packaging. And whether or not this means it is safe for nature and ecological systems.
Most probably 90% of the population will think that bio-degradable means you can just throw the bag or the packaging in your back yard or even in the sea with the idea that within a month it will have disappeared. This would be indeed the most logical interpretation of the term bio-degradable.
However, in most cases this idea is wrong. Generally degradablity and/or compostability only works under very specific and controlled circumstances of temperature, humidity and environment. In a natural environment your bio-plastic would still need years to really be degraded. Even disposing of plastics is industrial issue.
It’s a chapter that still needs further investigation and, probably, regulation.
References
The Difference Between Biodegradable and Compostable Packaging Materials - Heritage Paper
Many packaging products boast environmentally-friendly benefits such as “biodegradable” and “compostable” materials. Read more.
Biodegradable and Compostable - BioBag
Biodegradable and compostable are terms used when describing organic materials breaking down in a specific environment.
Phytotoxicity assessment of conventional and biodegradable plastic bags using seed germination test
A large fraction of plastic litter found in natural environments is constituted by conventional not biodegradable plastic bags, and their adverse effe…
De los biosólidos a la composta
¿Qué es la composta? ¿Cómo es su proceso de elaboración? Aquí te lo explicamos. ¡Es más fácil de lo que crees!
Imballaggi in plastica, imballaggi in bioplastica, come riconoscerli | Dicheplastica6
Imballaggi in plastica, imballaggi in bioplastica: riconoscerli e differenziarli è molto importante per non comprometterne il riciclo. Scopri come fare.
MA LA BIOPLASTICA È DAVVERO COMPOSTABILE?
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