Question

Describe an activity to show that while paper is biodegradable but plastic (say, polythene) is non-biodegradable.​ ​

Answer 1

Activity:​

• Dig ground to 15cms depth and bury paper and polythene bag separately into it and cover it with earth. ​
• After a month or so, remove the soil from the buried area and observe. ​

Observation:​

• The piece of paper will reduce in size because it is degraded by decomposers whereas the polythene bag remains as it is. ​
• The microorganisms or the decomposers in the soil have decomposed paper but not plastic.​

Conclusion:​

• Paper is biodegradable (can be degraded by decomposers)​
• Plastic is non-biodegradable (cannot be degraded by decomposers).