Question

What makes plastics non-biodegradable?

• A. Plastics have a lot of carbon in it.
• B. Plastics cannot be decomposed by microbes.
• C. Plastics require high temperature to degrade.
• D. Plastics have organic additives in it.

Answer 1

The correct option is B Plastics cannot be decomposed by microbes.

Plastics are synthetic polymers and are derived from the by-products of petroleum. The monomers derived from petroleum are combined together (polymerization) to make plastic. These polymeric substances cannot be digested or decomposed by any micro-organism and hence plastics are non-biodegradable.