Something that is biodegradable breaks down or decays naturally without any special scientific treatment, and can therefore be thrown away without causing pollution. a natural and totally biodegradable plastic. materials, chemicals etc that are biodegradable are changed naturally by bacteria into substances that do not harm the environment non biodegradable
when a substance is able to be broken down by microorganisms into basic elements like carbon dioxide and water (See "decompose ")
Able to be broken into simpler chemical compounds by microorganisms Organic materials are biodegradable
the term given to a substance that can be broken down, i e biodegrades, by the natural processes of decomposition Top
The ability of a substance to be broken down physically and/or chemically by natural biological processes, such as by being digested by bacteria or fungi
A product that has the ability to break down, safely and relatively quickly, by biological means, into the raw materials of nature These products can be solids which break down into soil (composting)), or liquids which break down into water For example, biodegradable plastic is intended to break up when exposed to microorganisms (a natural ingredient such as cornstarch or vegetable oil is added to achieve this result) -
Capable of being broken down by micro-organisms which utilise the substance as a source of energy and bring about its destruction Usually referred to biological processes in soil, water, sewage but also to man-made organic compounds such as pesticides
waste material composed primarily of naturally-occurring constituent parts, able to be broken down and absorbed into the ecosystem Wood, for example, is biodegradable, for example, while plastics are not
capable of being broken down by living organisms, principally bacteria and fungi [return to top]
(biodégradable) Capable of being broken down by living organisms into inorganic compounds