Let's try to consider two scenarios from the same picnic - an apple core and a plastic fork. If you bury both of them in deep soil for five years, do you know which one will disappear? Well, the answer is that the apple core will become part of the Earth. It must be going into the soil, worms, tiny insects, and even new plant growth. Well, that's the major thing that we can consider as the Difference between Biodegradable and Nonbiodegradable.

Now, you must be having thoughts about what happened to the plastic fork at the picnic scene? That will still be there in the soil patch with little fade or brittleness. But, in any case, it will be forked and no way closer to becoming soil. This example clearly highlights the story between biodegradable and non-biodegradable. While these terms might seem like bio-technical, the same can be seen in nearby or one's own backyard.

What Makes Something Biodegradable

That example gives you a solid starting point, but how do things actually break down on their own? Honestly, it just means nature can rot a material until it disappears back into the dirt. It is a teamwork effort by the bacteria, fungi, and invisible bugs living right under our feet.

Some examples of biodegradable materials are Apple cores, banana peels, cotton, paper, wood, etc. All such materials vanish back into nature if the environmental conditions (such as air, moisture, temperature, and time) are right.

This is exactly where the term biodegradable plastic comes in, which is quite different from regular plastic in various ways. The very first thing is that biodegradable plastic is made so that natural organisms can break it down on their own. Unlike usual plastic, this doesn't keep lying in the landfills for centuries.

That's exactly the idea behind the nature-friendly packaging materials and bags. When you start using the biodegradable bags, there will be similarities with plastic bags in terms of look and feel. But you'll feel happy knowing your choices are not impacting nature.

Non-Biodegradable: What Should You Know

With non-biodegradable materials, natural composting agents like bacteria, fungi, algae, etc., are unable to break down these materials.

Regular plastic bags, polystyrene foam, and most synthetic packaging are also far from being recognized as food by natural organisms. That's what happened to the plastic folk at the picnic. Even if it breaks down in decades or centuries, that's still going to be small plastics or microplastics.

What Makes Both Materials Different From Each Other

Major Thing To Compare

Breaks down naturally?

Biodegradable Items :Yes

Non-Biodegradable Items: No or extremely slow

Who breaks it down?

Biodegradable Items: Bacteria, fungi, microorganisms

Non-Biodegradable Items: Nobody

Time to break down

Biodegradable Items: Weeks to few years

Non-Biodegradable Items: Decades to centuries

End result after breaking down

Biodegradable Items: Soil, water, organic matter

Non-Biodegradable Items: Small plastic or microplastic

Common examples

Biodegradable Items: Food waste, paper, biodegradable bags

Non-Biodegradable Items: Regular plastic bags, foam packaging, synthetic wrappers

The Grey Zone: "Biodegradable" Labels on Products

This is the part where we will discuss how to find the ideal Biodegradable Packaging instead of just the word mentioned there. If you check any store, there will be plenty of bags, cups, and wrappers with the printed word "biodegradable". But that's not enough to believe that it's going to be nature-friendly.

In reality, some products remain biodegradable only under certain conditions. For example, in industrial composting facilities that have controlled heat and moisture. If we throw such bags in regular dustbins or landfills, they may have quite slow and partial decomposition, as with natural plastic liners.

That's why you need to look beyond the word "biodegradable bags" and look for the certifications and conditions mentioned over them. An authentic and real biodegradable packaging product should be able to give you essential information.

Simple Swaps Readers Can Make Today

Are you really motivated to choose environmentally friendly products? But, thinking that would be a huge change in lifestyle. That's not true, as you need to make some basic swapping like -

1. Change regular plastic carry bags to biodegradable bags at the grocery store.
2. Try to use compostable garbage bags in place of standard plastic liners.
3. Instead of plastic straws, go for the ones made with plant or paper straws.
4. Make it a habit to carry a jute bag for daily shopping with biodegradable bags as an alternative.
5. Check the manufacturer's certification instead of just checking the word "biodegradable".

Common Queries From People

Where do you recommend throwing the biodegradable bags or packaging material?

That really depends on the material and the weather. If conditions are right, it usually decomposes in a few months' time. 

Can you suggest which one I should pick for daily usage?

Biodegradable bags are a great option as a carry bag used for daily household tasks. You get the same experience and strength, and have peace of mind that those will be gone in a few months.

Can I throw biodegradable bags anywhere in the soil?

Yes, you can because they will break down with soil.

How can we find real bioplastic bag with so many other options?

Always search for the proper certifications and lab test reports before choosing the biodegradable bags. The ideal brand will remain transparent about its products, testing, and quality standards.

Can we assume that biodegradable carry bags are the same as compostable?

No, we can't mention them the same because both get decomposed very differently. Biodegradable ones break down with time, and the other one feeds the soil with good nutrients.

Final Comments

Till here, you must be thinking about the alternative to plastic bags because of the harm to the environment. This is a sign that you need to start using Biodegradable Plastic instead of plastic bags.

At Revolve Green, we are dedicated to helping you with this change. Explore the best range of biodegradable bags and bio-plastics and contribute to nature as well.