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Biodegradable

Something that is biodegradable is able to be broken down into innocuous pieces by natural biological processes. Biodegradable substances are usually natural, plant- or animal-based material, or other material that is similar enough to plant or animal matter to be broken down by the enzymes produced by living organisms. 

Once a substance has been degraded, it becomes soil; the most efficient method of biodegradation is a hot compost heap, where temperature speeds up the aerobic activity of microorganisms. In a landfill, biodegradation is anaerobic, and produces byproducts including biogas and lignin and cellulosic fibers.

Biodegration claims

While the European Union has standards for biodegradation; something must break down into mostly carbon dioxide, water and organic matter within six months; there is no similar standard in the United States. Items which are labeled as "biodegradable" might degrade in months or hundreds of years; and may degrade into organic matter or into toxins. In fact, the American Society for Testing and Materials has a slightly different definition of "biodegradable" from the dictionary definition; it says biodegradation is "a degradation caused by biological activity, especially by enzymatic action, leading to a significant change in the chemical structure of the material." In other words, the parts must not be innocuous, but could in fact be quite harmful.

Latest Tweets about this glossary term:

  • simonwang12 - It's not littering if its biodegradable
  • patel_rahul - Eco friendly biodegradable speakers fit any bottle to encourage reuse http://bit.ly/94T3Kv
  • forbetterfuture - Acofriend blog: Eco friendly biodegradable speakers fit any bottle to encourage reuse: Eco Factor: Speakers made... http://bit.ly/cxNXWY
  • surendar_m - Eco friendly biodegradable speakers fit any bottle to encourage reuse: Eco Factor: Speakers made from biodegrada... http://bit.ly/cxNXWY
  • Ecofriend_org - Eco friendly biodegradable speakers fit any bottle to encourage reuse http://goo.gl/fb/pVVXS @ecofriend_org
  • nakedjen - @thegreengenius how have i missed you and your biodegradable bags? how?!? i prayed for them. you delivered. THANK YOU! xox
  • BagsOnTheNet - Ok, the bamboo totes have arrived..100% biodegradable, hypo allergenic, reusable, recyclable. Any sizes can be made for you. 5000 minimum
  • cpasquella - @christlikemommy A combo of cloth and biodegradable until we see what works best! #mamavation
  • Wellspringinc - Regarding packaging. Good season resulted in shortage of biodegradable containers. 1 option of return of... http://fb.me/E34h83Ar
  • HotBodyWax - We are redefining what's done with biodegradable and Eco-friendly auto appearance products development and also the way we approach bus...

Biodegradable News

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Avatar Anonymous (3:14 AM on Fri Sep 3, 2010)

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Saturday, 08/21/2010

to calculate your footprint / don't consult the stars / let's get carbon smart... http://bit.ly/cxKR8W

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