With increasing environmental awareness, the terms “degradable” and “biodegradable” are often mentioned. Do you know the difference between the two? Confusion often leads to “greenwashing”, where products are promoted as eco-friendly but in fact lack sustainability.
This article will delve into the difference between degradable and biodegradable materials, exploring their decomposition process, environmental consequences and practical implications. Hopefully, you can make an informed choice that will lead to zero-waste solutions and sustainable living.
What Are Degradable Materials?
Degradable materials are designed to break down into smaller pieces over time through physical, chemical or environmental processes.
Unlike fully sustainable options, degradable products don’t necessarily disappear completely or return harmlessly to nature. Oxo-degradable plastics, often used in degradable shopping bags or packaging, break apart when exposed to UV light, heat or oxygen. This process, known as chemical breakdown or UV degradation, creates smaller plastic particles but doesn’t completely eliminate the material.
The environmental concerns surrounding degradable materials are significant. While they may seem like plastic alternatives, many degradable plastics contribute to microplastic pollution because the fragments persist in ecosystems, harming wildlife and polluting the oceans.
Degradable shopping bags may break into small pieces, but these non-permanent fragments can remain in the environment for decades, posing risks to marine life and soil health. The misconception that degradable equals eco-friendly often stems from greenwashing, where products are promoted as spoiling or breakable without a clear explanation of their long-term environmental persistence.
Degradable materials are often used for single-use plastics, such as shopping bags or food packaging, because they are often cheaper than fully sustainable options. Limited decomposition makes them less suitable for those who prioritize waste reduction or green products. Consumers should be cautious about claims that degradable items are inherently sustainable, as partial decomposition does not align with a circular ecosystem or provide real environmental benefits.
What Are Biodegradable Materials?
Biodegradable materials are designed to break down naturally into harmless substances such as water, carbon dioxide and organic matter through microbial decomposition. These materials, biodegradable plastics (such as polylactic acid or PLA) or compostable shopping bags, rely on microorganisms such as bacteria or fungi to decompose. Unlike degradable materials, biodegradable products do not leave harmful residues after being processed correctly, making them the cornerstone of environmentally friendly packaging and sustainable materials.
The decomposition process of biodegradable materials varies depending on the conditions. Some materials require industrial composting facilities that provide high temperatures and controlled environments, while certain household compostable bags can be decomposed in a backyard compost. For example, a compostable bag made of PLA material may completely decompose in 90-180 days under industrial conditions, which helps improve the quality of the compost and promote the decomposition of organic matter. Certifications like BPI (Biodegradable Products Institute) or EN 13432 ensure that the product meets strict biodegradable certification standards, ensuring that it is biodegradable and safe for the environment.
The environmental benefits of biodegradable materials are significant. They reduce waste in landfills, eliminate microplastic risks and support circular economy principles by returning nutrients to the soil. Biodegradable products are widely used in compostable packaging, food waste bags and environmentally friendly retail. Their effectiveness depends on proper disposal and access to composting facilities. Without the right infrastructure, biodegradable items may not break down as expected, limiting their potential for environmentally friendly decomposition.
Degradable vs. Biodegradable
Breakdown Process
- Degradable: Degradable materials undergo fragmentation through exposure to environmental factors like sunlight, heat, or oxygen. OXO-degradable plastics break into smaller pieces via chemical breakdown, but these fragments often remain as microplastics. The process doesn’t rely on biological activity, and complete decomposition is rare. A degradable shopping bag might disintegrate into smaller bits over months or years, but it doesn’t fully return to nature.
- Biodegradable: Biodegradable materials rely on microbial breakdown by bacteria or fungi, transforming into natural elements like water and organic matter. Compostable materials like PBAT plastics or PLA materials decompose fully in the right conditions, such as industrial composting (high heat and moisture) or home composting (slower but still effective). Certified biodegradable products ensure a complete organic decomposition process, typically within 90-180 days in ideal settings.
Environmental Impact
- Degradable: The environmental impact of degradable materials is often negative due to microplastic pollution. Fragments from disintegrable plastics can persist in oceans, soil, and wildlife, contributing to long-term environmental persistence. A degradable packaging item might break down into tiny particles that harm marine ecosystems, undermining waste reduction goals. These materials don’t support circular ecosystems and may exacerbate plastic pollution.
- Biodegradable: Biodegradable materials are far more environmentally friendly when properly managed. They reduce landfill waste, produce no microplastics, and contribute to compost quality in composting systems. For instance, biodegradable plastics used in compostable shopping bags break down into natural elements, supporting sustainable living and zero-waste solutions. However, improper disposal (e.g., in landfills) can limit their benefits, as they require specific conditions to decompose effectively.
Applications and Practicality
- Degradable: Degradable materials are often used in single-use plastics like grocery bags, food packaging, or agricultural films due to their low cost. They’re lightweight and widely available but lack durability, making them unsuitable for repeated use. Their partial decomposition makes them less practical for consumers seeking green products or long-term plastic alternatives. Retailers may use degradable shopping bags for cost savings, but they don’t align with sustainable packaging goals.
- Biodegradable: Biodegradable materials are found in compostable packaging, food waste bags, and eco-friendly retail products. They’re slightly more durable than degradable options but are typically designed for limited reuse (e.g., 5-10 uses for compostable bags). Their practicality depends on access to composting infrastructure. For example, a biodegradable shopping bag certified by EN 13432 is ideal for grocery shopping in areas with industrial composting facilities, but less practical in regions without such systems.
Consumer Considerations
- Degradable: Consumers often encounter greenwashing with degradable products, as terms like breakable or deteriorable are used to imply sustainability. Without clear labeling, it’s easy to mistake degradable items for eco-friendly packaging. Shoppers must check for certifications or disposal requirements to avoid being misled. Degradable products are cheaper upfront but offer limited environmental benefits.
- Biodegradable: Biodegradable products require consumer awareness to maximize their eco-decomposable benefits. Shoppers need to verify biodegradable certifications (e.g., BPI) and ensure access to composting facilities. While slightly more expensive than degradable options, biodegradable items like compostable shopping bags align with sustainable shopping and are worth the investment for eco-conscious consumers.
Why the Degradable vs. Biodegradable Matters
Avoid Greenwashing:
Many products labeled as biodegradable are marketed as green, but their microplastic risk contradicts these claims. By choosing certified biodegradable or compostable materials, consumers can avoid greenwashing and prioritize truly eco-friendly packaging. Compostable shopping bags that are certified by BPI ensure that they will not cause harm to the environment after decomposition, while compostable bags may fragment into pollutants.
Environmental Impact:
Choosing between biodegradable and biodegradable can affect waste reduction and ecosystem health. Compostable materials contribute to microplastic pollution, which harms marine life, soil, and human health. If composted correctly, biodegradable materials can support circular ecosystems by enriching soil and reducing landfills. Using biodegradable plastics in industrial composting areas can significantly reduce your environmental footprint.
Sustainable Shopping Choices:
For consumers and businesses, choosing biodegradable products is in line with zero-waste solutions and eco-friendly shopping concepts. Retailers can adopt compostable packaging to meet consumer demand for sustainable materials, while individuals can use biodegradable shopping bags for groceries or food waste. Understanding disposal requirements (home composting vs. industrial composting) ensures these products are delivering their full environmental benefits.
Practical tips:
When choosing biodegradable products, check the packaging for biodegradability certifications such as BPI or EN 13432. Check your local composting infrastructure to ensure proper disposal. For example, if you live in an urban area with municipal composting facilities, compostable bags are a good option. If composting facilities are not available, consider using reusable items such as cloth bags (see our article on compostable bags vs. reusable cloth bags) to supplement your sustainable shopping strategy.
Conclusion
The difference between degradable and biodegradable materials lies in their breakdown processes and environmental impact. Degradable products, like oxo-degradable plastics, break into smaller fragments, often contributing to microplastic pollution and offering limited waste reduction benefits. Biodegradable materials, such as compostable shopping bags made from PLA materials, decompose fully into natural elements, supporting circular ecosystems and sustainable living.
However, their effectiveness depends on proper disposal through industrial composting or home composting. By choosing biodegradable products with verified biodegradable certifications and understanding local composting infrastructure, you can make smarter choices that reduce your environmental footprint. Ready to go green? Start by prioritizing biodegradable plastics and share this guide with others to spread the word about eco-friendly packaging.
