What Does Biodegradable Mean? A Practical Explanation
The term “biodegradable” is commonly used on packaging and products, but what does biodegradable actually mean?
Biodegradable materials are designed to break down through the action of microorganisms such as bacteria and fungi under suitable environmental conditions.
Understanding how this process works – and the conditions required – is important for making informed decisions about materials and waste.
Biodegradable vs Degradable
Not all materials that break down behave in the same way.
Degradation is a general term that describes a material breaking down over time. In some cases, this may result in smaller fragments rather than complete breakdown.
Biodegradation refers to a process where microorganisms interact with a material, contributing to its breakdown under appropriate conditions.
How Biodegradation Works
Biodegradation is influenced by environmental conditions, including:
- Microbial activity
- Temperature
- Oxygen levels
- Moisture
Different environments will affect how materials behave over time.
For example, composting systems and landfill environments operate under very different conditions, which can influence how materials break down.
Why Conditions Matter
A key factor in biodegradation is where a material ends up.
Some materials are designed for composting environments, which require oxygen, heat, and moisture.
Others are designed to biodegrade in landfill environments, where oxygen levels are low and anaerobic conditions are present.
If materials are placed in conditions they were not designed for, they may not perform as intended.
Biodegradable Plastic in Real-World Waste Systems
In New Zealand, a significant portion of waste still enters landfill.
This makes it important to consider how materials behave in landfill conditions, not just ideal environments.
Biowrap products are engineered to biodegrade in modern bioactive landfill environments through microbial processes under anaerobic (low-oxygen) conditions.
The material is designed to remain stable during use, only beginning the biodegradation process once exposed to landfill conditions where microbial activity is present.
Biowrap materials are evaluated using recognised international testing methods, including ASTM D5511 and Biochemical Methane Potential (BMP) testing. Results may vary depending on landfill environments.
Why This Matters
Understanding what biodegradable means helps clarify how materials perform at end-of-life.
Rather than relying on labels alone, it is important to consider:
- Where the material will be disposed
- What conditions are required for breakdown
- How it fits within existing waste systems
Learn More
For a deeper explanation of landfill biodegradable plastic, explore the Biowrap eBook.
Explore Biowrap Products
Explore our range of landfill biodegradable products: