The definition of biodegradation includes four definitions: soil degradable, compostable degradable, marine environmental degradable, and freshwater environmental degradable. As the name suggests, there are different biodegradable plastics for different environments.
Soil degradable
Under soil landfill conditions, it can finally be decomposed into simple compounds such as carbon dioxide (CO2) or/and methane (CH4), water (H2O), mineralized inorganic salts of elements contained in them, and property of dead biological bodies. It's always a win-win outcome.
Composting-degradable
Under composting conditions, it can finally be decomposed into simple compounds such as carbon dioxide (CO2) or/and methane (CH4), water (H2O), mineralized inorganic salts of elements contained in them, and properties of dead biological bodies.
Marine environmental degradation
In marine environments (such as sediment interfaces, sediments, other actual field conditions, and their laboratory mesophilic simulation conditions, etc.), materials can eventually be decomposed into carbon dioxide (CO2) or/and methane (CH4), water (H2O) A property of simple compounds such as simple compounds and mineralized inorganic salts of elements contained in them, and dead biological bodies.
Freshwater environment-degradable
In a freshwater environment (such as rivers, lakes, and simulated water-based culture fluids, etc.), materials can eventually be decomposed into simple compounds such as carbon dioxide (CO2) or/and methane (CH4), water (H2O), and mineralized inorganic elements—a property of salt, a dead body.
Most biodegradable plastics currently in use are compostable and degradable plastics, meaning that biodegradable plastic products cannot be discarded casually after use, and degradation is also necessary. However, in the natural environment, it is difficult to achieve this degradation condition, and it is essential to create conditions artificially. While vigorously developing biodegradable plastics, supporting facilities also require follow-up.
