Simply put, biodegradability is the ability to break down/disintegrate as a part of a natural process.

In other words, Biodegradability is the capacity for biological degradation of organic materials by living organisms down to the base substances such as water, carbon dioxide, methane, basic elements and biomass. 

 

Well then... How do these materials help the environment?

 

First of all, biodegradable materials break down faster than any other materials. These materials break down into carbon dioxide, water vapour and organic material, which all are not harmful to the environment. 

 

Secondly, less land pollution occurs. These materials get absorbed into the earth as soon as they are discarded, therefore they will not cause huge amounts of rubbish.

 

Thirdly, biodegradable materials are made of biomass, which we will further explain in the next section, and thus reusable. Lastly, these materials do NOT produce any toxic agents or allergens and are safe for human consumption.

 

What is biomass?

 

Biomass is renewable organic material that comes from plants and animals. Biomass was the largest source of total annual U.S. energy consumption until the mid-1800s. Biomass continues to be an important fuel in many countries, especially for cooking and heating in developing countries. The use of biomass fuels for transportation and for electricity generation is increasing in many developed countries as a means of avoiding carbon dioxide emissions from fossil fuel use.